Tape printing device with display

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an improved tape printing device for printing a desirable series of characters in a preferable balance on a tape through a simple operation. The tape printing device of the invention is used for printing text data in a plurality of lines along a width of the tape and in a plurality of `paragraphs` along a predetermined length of the tape. The `paragraph` in the tape printing device is different from a paragraph in a word processor and includes a fixed number of lines. Even when text data in a certain line of a paragraph is deleted, the certain line is kept in the paragraph as a vacant line. In another application, the tape printing device of the invention includes a predetermined menu for printing text data in a plurality of lines. The plurality of lines are arranged in a good balance when the user selects one of possible choices for each required information in the predetermined menu. Since these possible choices are automatically varied according to the width of the tape, the user can obtain a label with rows of characters printed in a preferable balance, without setting required information according to each tape width. The invention also provides a novel technique for displaying a distinct printing image and improves printing with a shade pattern and creation of a foreign character.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing device for printing a textincluding a desirable series of characters on a tape, and morespecifically to a novel printing device having a function of printingthe text in a plurality of lines on a tape. The invention also pertainsto an improved printing device where attribute data such as charactersizes are simply specified for plural-line printing. The inventionfurther relates to a printing image display unit, incorporated in aprinting device for printing a text on a tape medium, for displaying aprinting image of the text on a liquid-crystal display prior to actualprinting operation.

2. Description of the Related Art

Tape printing devices generally known are used for printing a desirableseries of characters on a surface of an adhesive tape having an adhesiverear face. With such a tape printing device, a desirable title or nameis printed on a label (cut piece of a tape) through simple operation.These labels with an adhesive are applied in both domestic and businessfields, for example, on the spine of business files or the back of videotapes.

The tape printing device is used for printing one or plural rows ofinput characters including letters and symbols (hereinafter referred toas text) on a tape and cutting the tape at a desirable position to alabel of a predetermined length. Improved tape printing devices allowingplural-line printing have been proposed to meet the recent expansion oflabel application.

In the tape printing device, the user can arbitrarily specify the numberof lines and the character size and line-spacing for each line. Withincreased application range of labels, a variety of tapes with differentwidths and colors are set in tape cartridges. Diversity of tapes,printing lines, and printing styles makes the operation and controlprocess undesirably complicated. When a large font is selected while thetape cartridge with a narrow tape is set in the tape printing device, orwhen a standard font is changed to a wider font, a print may be out ofthe tape width or a predetermined length. The user is thus required tomanage plural types of tape cartridges with different widths and colorsand check the character size and balance in the printing process.

In plural-line printing, for example, two-line printing, text data mayexist only in one line. In such a case, sometimes a desirable print cannot be obtained.

As described previously, in the conventional tape printing device, thecharacter size of each line and the line-spacing are separatelyspecified. When the text includes a large number of lines, thisspecification process consumes a long time period. In many cases, theuser prefers a similar layout for a certain text on any width of thetape. The conventional device, however, requires specification of thecharacter size and line spacing for every width of the tape.

The user sometimes specifies the wrong character size with respect tothe tape width, which may cause an undesirable print, especially inplural-line printing.

Some improvement has been proposed in tape printing devices for printingonly one line as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laying-Open GazetteNo. 3-72461. Such an improved device detects the width of a tape set inthe device and automatically determines the character size according tothe tape width. This makes the user free from troublesome specificationof the character size and effectively prevents printing out of the tapewidth.

This method is, however, not preferably applicable to tape printingdevices for printing a text in plural lines. In this application, thecharacter size is made equal for all the plural lines and the user cannot obtain labels with a desirable layout including plural lines havingdifferent character sizes. Since the character size is fixed withrespect to each tape width in this method, the user can not specify adesirable character size.

A text editing process conventionally applied to the tape printingdevice is completely different from that used in a word processor. Whilean input format and a printing format are separately determined and setin word processors, the tape printing devices have only one format. Someof tape printing devices use a format similar to the concept of the`page` used in the word processor to allow processing and printing of atext in a plurality of blocks. In such a tape printing device, part ofthe text exceeding a last line of a certain page is automatically inputin a first line of a next page. In this manner, the user obtains a labelwith a long text printed thereon by repeated printing of a page unitalong the length of the tape.

When a text is input and printed based on the concept of the `page`,insertion of one or plural lines in the middle of a certain page oftenmoves the last line of the certain page to a next page. On the contrary,deletion of several lines from a certain page often causes some lines ona next page to move into the certain page. When some lines in a page areout of the tape width or when the specified character size is too largefor the tape width, the lines out of the tape width are forcibly movedto a next page.

This does not cause any problem in character information processingapparatuses such as word processors but makes a serious problem in thetape printing device.

A typical text printed on a label with the tape printing device issignificantly different from those printed in word processors. Forexample, an exemplified text includes a company logo on a left side anda company name and its address on a right side. In such a case, it isnot desirable that some lines in a certain page move to a different pagethrough deletion or insertion of one or plural lines, or that some linesin a certain page are automatically printed in a different page. Thetape printing device occasionally changes an arrangement of the textprinted on the label against the intention of the user. In thisautomatic modification system of the printing layout, the user can notrecognize an exact printing layout prior to actual printing.

The tape printing device generally includes a display unit fordisplaying an input text. This allows the user to input a text whilechecking the screen of the display unit. The text is, however, typicallydisplayed according to a predetermined character size because of thelimited screen area irrespective of the character size specified by theuser. Accordingly the user can not see or check a real printing image ofthe text.

In this device, the user checks the printing image by a trial print ofan input text after completion of the whole input procedure. This methodwastes an expensive tape and is thereby quite uneconomical.

A printing image display unit may be incorporated in the tape printingdevice to display a printing image of the input text. In the displayunit, a label (tape with the text printed thereon) is typically shown asa contour as in the word processors. Display of the label as a contourrequires a separate software for displaying the printing image andincreases the required memory capacity, thus making the whole devicebulky and expensive.

When some characters in a text are surrounded by a keyline box, thekeyline is significantly close to or even overlapped with the contour ofthe label in a limited screen area. This prevents the user from clearlydistinguishing the keyline from the contour.

Some additional functions have been proposed for easier identificationof labels. For example, a proposed tape printing device has a screeningfunction to make some characters prominent and distinct by screening.Thick screening makes target characters distinctive whereas thinscreening can not sufficiently emphasize the target characters. Sincelabels are often seen and read from a certain distance, thin screeningmakes the shade unobservable.

In the a tape printing device, the user sometimes requires use ofspecific characters and symbols which the user independently determinesand defines (hereinafter referred to as foreign characters). Theseforeign characters include company logos, special marks, and charactersin a specific language. Since the tape printing device is generally usedfor preparing labels with desirable prints thereon, a foreign characterregistration function is essential.

A conventional method of registering a foreign character in the tapeprinting device is similar to that in other character informationprocessing apparatuses as given below.

When a foreign character input mode is selected, a working dot patternof N×N dots (for example, N=16, 24, 32, 48) is displayed in a coloridentical with that of a background of a display unit, where all the N×Ndots represent background dots and the cursor is displayed on a certaindot in flickering manner. The cursor is moved according to operation ofthe cursor keys while the certain dot with the cursor is inverselydisplayed as a dot element constituting part of a foreign characteraccording to operation of the dot-on key. After the user selects one ora plurality of dots as dot elements constituting a foreign character,the user presses the registration key to register the whole N×N dotpattern as a foreign character dot pattern.

In this conventional foreign character registration method, the usereasily confuses the background of the working dot pattern with thebackground of the display unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is thus to provide an improved tape printingdevice which allows the user to obtain a label with a desirably arrangedtext printed thereon through a simple operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tape printing device forprinting a text in one or a plurality of lines according to a desirablelayout and easily specifying attribute information including a charactersize.

Still another object of the invention is to display a printing imagewithout increasing a memory capacity and lowering discriminating powerof keylines, especially boxing with keylines.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel screening methodwhich makes characters sufficiently prominent and distinct even in lowscreening density.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel foreigncharacter registration method for displaying an input area for a foreigncharacter without a frame and generating a foreign character dot patternwell balanced with those of characters and symbols originally preparedand set in a tape printing device.

In the first printing device of the invention, the line numberspecification unit specifies a number of lines for printing text data ona tape while the attribute specification unit specifies attributeinformation of the text data. The cartridge identification unitidentifies a type of a tape cartridge set in the printing device. Theprinting condition determination unit determines a printing condition onthe printing tape according to the type of the tape cartridge, thenumber of lines, and the attribute information. The print control unitfinally executes a predetermined process according to the printingcondition.

When a tape cartridge accommodating a printing tape with a certainprintable range is set in the first printing device of the inventionthus constructed, the first printing device executes the predeterminedprocess required for printing, based on the number of lines and theattribute information. The predetermined process executed by the printcontrol unit includes selecting a font combination, recognizing aprinting range partly out of the width of the printing tape, interferingwith print of a specific area out of the tape width, reducing theprinting range to be within the tape width, and modifying the specifiednumber of lines or the attribute information when a printing range isout of the tape width.

The attribute information specified by the attribute specification unitincludes at least one of character size, type face (or font style), linespacing, and inter-character spacing information for the text dataprinted in the specified number of lines.

In a preferable structure, a relative size specification unit allows theuser to select a desired relative character size combination for thetext data printed in the specified number of lines out of a plurality ofchoices previously prepared. In this case, the attribute specificationunit specifies a number of dots of each character printed in the numberof lines according to the selected relative character size combination.

In the second printing device of the invention, the printing position isdetermined according to existence or non-existence of text data in eachof the specified number of lines. For example, under such a conditionthat two-line printing is specified, when no text data exists in asecond line, the printing device executes printing according to the sameprinting condition as that for one-line printing.

In the third printing device of the invention, first text datapreviously input from the text data input unit is stored with a firstprint mode assigned to the first text data in the text data memory unit,and read out of the text data memory unit without erasing second textdata newly input from the text data input unit. When a second print modeassigned to the second text data is different from the first print mode,the first text data and second text data are displayed in differentmanners. The user can thus distinctly distinguish the first print modeof the first text data from the second print mode of the second textdata.

For example, one of the first and second text data is displayedpositively while the other is displayed negatively. In anotherapplication, a predetermined code is displayed on a boundary between thefirst and second text data. In a preferred structure, the third tapeprinting device further includes a line number specification unit forspecifying a number of lines for printing the input text data, and aline number display unit for displaying a sequence of the number oflines by giving a code to each line end.

A concept of the `paragraph` is introduced in the fourth tape printingdevice of the invention, where the paragraph defines an arrangement of atext on a label (a predetermined length of the tape cut at a desirableposition). Each paragraph having specific paragraph attributeinformation consists of one or plural lines disposed along a width ofthe tape and printed simultaneously. Introduction of the paragraphensures printing of a desirable arrangement.

The fourth tape printing device includes the paragraph process unit forprocessing the text data by each paragraph, and the text data edit unitfor editing text data according to an instruction from the user withoutmodifying the paragraph attribute information of each paragraph. Forexample, when the user instructs compulsory return, the paragraphprocess unit works in cooperation with the text data edit unit not tochange the predetermined number of lines set in each paragraph. When aninstruction of compulsory return is input in a last line of a lastparagraph, this instruction is ignored. When the instruction ofcompulsory return is input in a certain line of a certain paragraphother than a last line of a last paragraph, on the other hand, apredetermined return process is executed without changing the number oflines specified for the certain paragraph. In a preferable structure,the paragraph attribute information is specified and modified onlythrough operation of the edit command input unit. This prevents a labeldesign from being changed against the intention of the user.

When line deletion is instructed, the paragraph process unit keeps atarget line as a vacant line not to change the specified number oflines. In this manner, the structure of the fourth tape printing deviceeffectively prevents paragraph attribute information including thenumber of lines from being modified against the intention of the user.

When a target paragraph for specification or modification of paragraphattribute information includes one or a plurality of substantial lineswith at least one character, the paragraph process unit preferably setsnumbers of lines equal to or greater than the number of the substantiallines as possible choices of the paragraph attribute information. Thiseffectively prevents the substantial line with text data from beingdeleted by accident.

The edit command input unit preferably stores a menu including aplurality of character size combinations for each paragraph consistingof only one line, and another menu including a plurality of charactersize and line spacing combinations for each paragraph consisting of twoor more lines. The user may change the character size for each line onlyby selecting a desirable combination.

The character size combinations and the character size and line spacingcombinations may be defined as relative values. When the user selectsone of the relative combinations, the print unit converts the relativevalues to absolute values according to the width of a tape set in thetape printing device. This makes the user free from troublesome settingof absolute values for each tape width.

In the fourth tape printing device of the invention, the edit commandinput unit may preferably include an automatic paragraph settingfunction for determining paragraph attribute information according toinput of text data. This makes the user free from specifying details ofthe paragraph attribute information.

The automatic paragraph setting function determines paragraph attributeinformation, for example, the number of lines, according to input oftext data. When a certain paragraph includes a plurality of lines, theuser can not distinguish a vacant line without text data from a linewith blank data. The text data edit unit may preferably distinguish asubstantial line with input data from a pending line with no text datawhen the automatic paragraph setting function is selected for thecertain paragraph.

The relative character size may be converted to an absolute valueaccording to a conversion table or a predetermined operation. The formermethod easily determines the absolute value whereas the latter methodsaves the required memory capacity.

In the fifth tape printing device of the invention, a printing image oftext data on a printing tape is displayed prior to actual printing,where the printing tape is displayed in a color different from that of abackground color. This structure informs the user of a printing rangeout of the width of the printing tape or non-setting of the printingtape.

In the sixth tape printing device of the invention, certain charactersin text data is decorated with a framed shade pattern according to anornament instruction. Since a frame of the framed shade patternfunctions as a keyline, the characters can be made sufficientlyprominent and distinct even in low screening density. This structureallows screening of characters with the framed shade pattern to bespecified only by one ornament instruction.

In the seventh tape printing device of the invention, specific dotsconstituting a foreign character are inversely displayed in the foreigncharacter input area. The user can thus generates a foreign characterdot pattern without confusing a background with part of the foreigncharacter. This method does not require a frame for defining the size ofthe foreign character and allows the input area to be displayed in onescreen even in a relatively small display unit. The foreign characterregistered is output and printed as part of text data according to therequirements.

These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a tape printing device 1 as a firstembodiment according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the tape printing device 1 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing assembly of a tape cartridge 10 in thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the tape cartridge 10 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end view illustrating the tape cartridge 10 taken on theline V--V of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an end view showing an internal structure of the tapecartridge 10 with a 6 mm wide tape;

FIG. 7 is an end view showing an internal structure of the tapecartridge 10 with a 24 mm wide tape;

FIG. 8 shows a relationship between the width of a tape T accommodatedin the tape cartridge 10 and the depth of three detection holes 18K;

FIG. 9 is an end view illustrating the tape printing device 1 taken onthe line IX--IX of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a typical structure of a tape cartridgeholder unit 50A;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a gear train and a mechanismfor shifting a printing head 60 between a retreated position and aprinting position;

FIG. 12 is an end view showing the mechanism for shifting the printinghead 60 taken on the line XII--XII of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an end view showing a cutting mechanism taken on the lineXIII--XIII of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an circuitry structure of tapeprinting device 1;

FIG. 15 shows a typical example of a key arrangement on an input unit50C;

FIG. 16 shows a structure of a display unit 50D;

FIG. 17 shows an exemplified layout displayed on the display unit 50D;

FIG. 18A and 18B show typical examples of left and right margins set onthe tape;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an essential process routine executed bythe CPU 110 of the tape printing device 1;

FIGS. 20A and 20B show examples where print data do not exist in atleast one of plural lines;

FIG. 21 shows printing fonts stored in a mask ROM 118;

FIG. 22 shows a font map used in three-line printing;

FIG. 23 shows exemplified layouts with a variety of relative charactersize combinations in two-, three-, and four-line printing;

FIG. 24 shows display of a line head mark in `AUTO` mode.

FIGS. 25A and 25B show increase and decrease of printing lines whenspecification of the line number is changed;

FIG. 26A and 26B show exemplified layouts displayed on the display unit50D when no tape T is set in the tape printing device 1 and when thetape width of the tape T is insufficient for printing conditions;

FIGS. 27A through 27C show printing in `AUTO` mode and `MANUAL` mode;

FIG. 28 shows connection of read-out print data recorded in a file withnewly input print data in a print data buffer;

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a general electric structure ofa second embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 30 shows concept of a `Paragraph`;

FIG. 31 shows attribute data of a paragraph style;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a paragraph-related process routineexecuted at the time of cold start;

FIG. 33 shows an exemplified character input image;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a first part of a process of paragraphstyle modification;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a second part of the process of paragraphstyle modification;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a third part of the process of paragraphstyle modification;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a fourth part of the process of paragraphstyle modification;

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a fifth part of the process of paragraphstyle modification;

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a sixth part of the process of paragraphstyle modification;

FIG. 40 shows examples of graphic display for selecting a character sizecombination;

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a first process for starting a newparagraph;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a second process for starting a newparagraph;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a third process for starting a newparagraph;

FIGS. 44A through 44C show examples of variation in the character inputimage according to the new paragraph starting process of FIGS. 41through 43;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a process when the `Compulsory Return`key is operated;

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing a line deletion process;

FIG. 47 shows character attribute data or character mode;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing a first part of a process for modifyingthe character mode;

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a second part of the process formodifying the character mode;

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing a third part of the process for modifyingthe character mode;

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing a fourth part of the process formodifying the character mode;

FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing a fifth part of the process for modifyingthe character mode;

FIGS. 53A and 53B show two exemplified displays of the line head mark;

FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing a process for inverting display of theline head mark;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing a printing process;

FIG. 56 shows a conversion table for converting relative values of eachcharacter size combination to absolute values;

FIG. 57 shows a conversion table for converting relative character sizesto absolute values;

FIG. 58 is a plan view showing an appearance of a third embodimentaccording to the invention;

FIG. 59 shows an exemplified structure of a RAM for storing data;

FIG. 60 illustrates an example of a printing image where a text iswithin a tape width;

FIG. 61 illustrates another example of a printing image where a text ispartly out of the tape width;

FIG. 62 illustrates still another example of a printing image where notape is set in the tape printing device;

FIG. 63 shows an example of the text;

FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing a printing image display process executedby the CPU 521;

FIGS. 65A through 65C show expansion of pattern data where the text iswithin the tape width;

FIGS. 66A through 66D show expansion of pattern data where the text ispartly out of the tape width;

FIGS. 67A and 67B show expansion of pattern data where no tape is set inthe tape printing device;

FIG. 68 shows an example of sizes specified for characters and aninter-character space as the number of printing dots;

FIG. 69 shows a method of specifying a display start position and adisplay size;

FIG. 70 shows another method of specifying a display start position anda display size;

FIG. 71 shows an example of a framed shade pattern in a fourthembodiment;

FIG. 72 shows an exemplified print with a framed shade pattern;

FIG. 73 is a flowchart showing control of the CPU 521 in characterornament process;

FIG. 74 is a flowchart showing control of the CPU 521 in printingprocess;

FIGS. 75A and 75B show an expansion of pattern data of the framed shadepattern;

FIG. 76 shows comparison between characters having different ornamentpatterns;

FIG. 77 is a flowchart showing a foreign character registration processin a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 78 shows an exemplified display of a working dot pattern forcreating a foreign character; and

FIGS. 79A and 79B show comparison between foreign characters generatedby the method of the fifth embodiment and a conventional method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Structures and functions of the present invention will become moreapparent through description of the following preferred embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a tape printing device 1 embodyingthe invention, and FIG. 2 is a right side view of the tape printingdevice 1. In the description below, the relative position of eachconstituent, for example, right, left, upper, or lower, corresponds tothe drawing of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tape printing device 1 includes a casing50H for accommodating a variety of constituents, an input unit 50Chaving sixty-three keys, a freely openable cover 50K, a display unit 50Darranged visibly through a window 50M of the cover 50K for displaying aseries of characters or other required information, and a tape cartridgeholder unit 50A (see FIG. 10) disposed on a left upper portion of thedevice 1, which a tape cartridge 10 is detachably attached to. A windowfor checking attachment of the tape cartridge 10 is provided on thecover 50K. Both windows 50L and 50M are covered with transparent plasticplates.

Operation of the tape printing device 1 thus constructed is describedbriefly. In a first step, an operator opens the cover 50K and attachesthe tape cartridge 10 to the tape cartridge holder unit 50A. Afterclosing the cover 50K, the operator turns on a power switch 50Jexternally mounted on a right side wall of a main body of the device 1as shown in FIG. 2. The device 1 subsequently executes an initialprocessing to ready for an input of letters or characters. The operatorthen inputs a desirable series of letters or characters with the keys onthe input unit 50C. Although input of letters is implemented directlythrough key operation of the input unit 50C, an additional process suchas conversion from the input letters into Chinese characters may berequired in certain linguistic areas using two-bite characters likeChinese characters. When the operator instructs printing through a keyoperation, the device 1 drives a thermal transfer printer unit 50B tostart printing on a tape T fed from the tape cartridge 10. The tape Twith the letters or characters printed thereon is fed out of a tapeoutlet 10A disposed on a left side wall of the tape printing device 1.

The tape T used in the embodiment has a printing surface specificallyprocessed for preferable ink spread by thermal transfer and an adhesiverear face which a peel tape is applied on. After the printed tape T iscut by a desirable length to a label with a built-in blade cutter andthe peel tape is peeled off, the label with characters and symbolsprinted thereon is applied onto any desirable place.

Structure and functions of the tape cartridge 10 are described mainlybased on the plan view of FIG. 3, the bottom view of FIG. 4, and thecross sectional view of FIG. 5 taken on the line V--V of FIG. 3. Eachtape cartridge 10 having a similar structure can hold a tape of apredetermined width. Five types of tape cartridges for tapes of 6 mm, 9mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, and 24 mm in width are prepared in the embodiment.FIG. 6 is a partly broken cross sectional view showing an internalstructure of the tape cartridge 10, which includes a 6 mm wide tape Trunning through centers of an ink ribbon core 22, a ribbon winding core24, and a platen 12. FIG. 7 is also a cross sectional view showing thesame with a 24 mm wide tape T. Numbers or symbols representingrespective constituents are omitted in FIG. 7 for clarity of thedrawing. In FIGS. 6 and 7, part of a printing head 60 is drawn togetherwith the cross section of the tape cartridge 10 to show attachment ofthe tape T in the tape printing device 1.

The platen 12 is a hollow cylindrical member covered with a platenrubber 14 of a predetermined width corresponding to the width of thetape T. The platen rubber 14 improves contact of the tape T to an inkribbon R and the printing head 60 for desirable printing. In theembodiment, two types of the platen rubber 14 are used; a 12 mm wideplaten rubber for 6 mm, 9 mm, and 12 mm tapes (see FIG. 6), and a 18 mmwide platen rubber for 18 mm and 24 mm tapes (see FIG. 7).

The platen 12 has a smaller-diametral upper end and a smaller-diametrallower end. The platen 12 is freely rotatable since the smaller-diametralupper end and the smaller-diametral lower end are rotatably fit inapertures 16A and 18A of a top wall 16 and a bottom wall 18 of the tapecartridge 10, respectively. The apertures 16A and 18A are formed insubstantially elliptic shape as seen in FIG. 4. The hollow platen 12accommodated in the tape cartridge 10 is attached to and detached from aplaten driving shaft (described later) disposed in the tape printingdevice 1 according to attachment and detachment of the tape cartridge10. The platen 12 has six engagement grooves 12A arranged at the equalintervals on an inner surface thereof along a rotational axis of theplaten 12 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The engagement grooves 12A engagewith the platen driving shaft to transmit a driving force of the drivingshaft.

The tape cartridge 10 is also provided with a tape core 20 which a longtape T is wound on, the ink ribbon core 22, and the ribbon winding core24. The tape cartridge 10 further includes a printing head receivinghole 32 which the printing head 60 enters and goes in. The printing headreceiving hole 32 is defined by a guide wall 34.

The tape core 20 is a hollow, large-diametral cylindrical reel forplacing a long tape T wound on a relatively large-diametral bobbin inthe tape cartridge 10. Since a total thickness of the wound tape T onthe tape core 20 is small as compared with the diametral of the tapecore 20, a rotational angular velocity of the tape core 20 for pullingan outer-most wind of the tape T (shown as α in FIG. 3) out of the tapecore 20 at a certain rate is approximately same as a rotational angularvelocity of the tape core 20 for pulling an inner-most wind of the tape(shown as β in FIG. 3) at the same rate. A sufficiently large radius ofcurvature of tape core 20 allows even a tape T having poor resistance toa bending stress to be wound on the tape core 20 without difficulty.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tape core 20 has a shaft hole 20B on a centerthereof, which rotatably receives a shaft member 18B uprightlyprojecting from the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 as clearlyseen in FIG. 5. The tape core 20 is provided with a pair of circularthin films 20A respectively applied on axial upper and lower ends of thetape core 20. The thin film 20A has an adhesive layer. Since the film20A functioning as a flange with respect to the tape T has the adhesivelayer facing the tape T, side edges of the tape T lightly adhere to thefilm 20A. This keeps the roll of the tape T wound when rotation of theplaten 12 pulls the tape T out and makes the tape core 20 drivinglyrotate.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tape T wound and accommodated in the tape core20 runs to the platen 12 via a tape guide pin 26 uprightly projectingfrom the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 and goes out of thetape outlet 10A of the tape cartridge 10. The tape outlet 10A has aguide element 10B of a predetermined length formed along a feedingdirection of the tape T. While the tape cartridge 10 is set in the tapecartridge holder unit 50A, the printing head 60 is placed in theprinting head receiving hole 32. Under such conditions, the tape T isheld between the printing head 60 and the platen 12 and fed according torotation of the platen 12.

The apertures 16A and 18A receiving the upper and lower ends of theplaten 12 are formed in elliptic shape as mentioned above, and theplaten 12 is movable along longitudinal axes of the apertures 16A and18A when the tape cartridge 10 is not set in the tape printing device 1.When the tape T outside the tape cartridge 10 is being pressed into thetape cartridge 10, the platen 12 moves along a feeding direction of thetape T. Movement of the platen 12 causes the platen rubber 14 on theplaten 12 to be in contact with a circumference of the tape guide pin 26and securely holds the tape T between the platen rubber 14 and the tapeguide pin 26. This interferes with further movement of the tape T. Sucha structure effectively prevents from the tape T being mistakenlypressed into the tape cartridge 10.

Winding procedure of the ink ribbon R is now described. The ink ribboncore 22 includes a hollow, small-diametral cylindrical member havingsmaller-diametral upper and lower ends as clearly seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.The smaller-diametral lower end has six engagement grooves formed asfirst engaging elements 22A arranged at the equal intervals as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. The smaller-diametral lower end of the ink ribbon core 22is loosely fitted in a circular first fitting aperture 18C formed on thebottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10. The upper hollow end of the inkribbon core 22 is loosely fitted in a cylindrical guide projection 16Cprotruded from the top wall 16 of the tape cartridge 10. The ink ribboncore 22 is accordingly held to be drivingly rotatable according topull-out of the ink ribbon R.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a substantially L-shaped first engagementpiece 18D is formed on the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 to bepositioned in the vicinity of the lower ends of the ink ribbon core 22and the ribbon winding core 24 (described later). The first engagementpiece 18D is formed by cutting part of the bottom wall 18 of the tapecartridge 10 (hatched portion designated as X in FIG. 3). Resilience ofthe material of the bottom wall 18 allows a free end of the firstengagement piece 18D to be movable around a base portion 18E integrallyformed with the bottom wall 18 along the plane of the bottom wall 18.When no force is applied onto the first engagement piece 18D, the freeend of the first engagement piece 18D is positioned inside thecircumference of the first fitting aperture 18C and engages with one ofthe six engaging elements 22A formed on the lower end of the ink ribboncore 22 loosely fitted in the fitting aperture 18C. This effectivelyprevents the ink ribbon core 22 from being unintentionally rotated andthe ink ribbon R from being slack.

The ink ribbon R wound and accommodated in the ink ribbon core 22 ispulled out via a ribbon guide roller 30 and runs along the guide wall 34to the ribbon winding core 24. In the middle of the ribbon path, the inkribbon R reaches a position facing the platen 12 to be overlapped withthe tape T. In FIG. 3, γ and δ respectively show the running conditionsof the ink ribbon R when the tape cartridge 10 is still unused and new,that is, when only a starting end of the ink ribbon R is on the ribbonwinding core 24, and when the whole ink ribbon R is wound on the ribbonwinding core 24.

The ribbon winding core 24 includes a hollow cylindrical member ofsubstantially the same shape as the ink ribbon core 22 as shown in FIGS.3 and 4. The hollow cylindrical member has smaller-diametral upper andlower ends in the same manner as the ink ribbon core 22. The lower endhas six engagement grooves formed as second engaging elements 24Aarranged at the equal intervals. As is the platen 12, the ribbon windingcore 24 rotates through engagement with a ribbon winding core drivingshaft (described later) disposed in the tape printing device 1. Theribbon winding core 24 thus has six engagement grooves 24B arranged atthe equal intervals on an inner surface of the hollow cylindrical memberalong a rotational axis of the ribbon winding core 24. Thesmaller-diametral upper and lower ends of the ribbon winding core 24 areloosely and rotatable fitted in a top circular fitting aperture 16G anda bottom circular fitting aperture 18G formed on the top wall 16 and thebottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10, respectively.

In the same manner as the ink ribbon core 22, a substantially L-shapedsecond engagement piece 18H is formed on the bottom wall 18 of the tapecartridge 10 to prevent unintentional rotation of the ribbon windingcore 24. The second engagement piece 18H is formed by cutting part ofthe bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 (hatched portion designatedas Y in FIG. 3). When the tape cartridge 10 is not set in the tapeprinting device 1, a free end of the second engagement piece 18H ispositioned inside the circumference of the bottom fitting aperture 18Gand engages with one of the six second engaging elements 24A formed onthe lower end of the ribbon winding core 24. The ribbon winding core 24is thereby not rotated in such a direction as to slacken the ink ribbonR wound thereon. The free ends of the first engagement piece 18D and thesecond engagement piece 18H are respectively positioned not to beperpendicular but to be inclined to the first and second engagingelements 22A and 24A. This prevents the ink ribbon core 22 and theribbon winding core 24 from rotating in undesirable directions asdescribed above. The ribbon winding core 24 readily rotates in a normalwinding direction of the ink ribbon R.

Engagement of the first engaging element 22A of the ink ribbon core 22with the first engagement piece 18D and that of the second engagingelement 24A of the ribbon winding core 24 with the second engagementpiece 18H effectively prevent the ink ribbon R from undesirablyslackening while the tape cartridge 10 is not set in the tape printingdevice 1. The engagement is released when the tape cartridge 10 is setin the tape cartridge holder unit 50A. The releasing procedure isdescribed later with a typical structure of the tape cartridge holderunit 50A.

The ink ribbon R wound on the ribbon winding core 24 is a thermaltransfer ribbon having a predetermined width corresponding to the widthof the tape T used for printing. In the embodiment, a 12 mm wide inkribbon R is used for 6 mm, 9 mm, and 12 mm wide tapes T as shown in FIG.6, a 18 mm wide ink ribbon R for a 18 mm wide tape T (not shown), and a24 mm wide ink ribbon R for a 24 mm wide tape T as shown in FIG. 7.

When the width of the ink ribbon R is equal to the height of the tapecartridge 10 (see FIG. 7), the top wall 16 and the bottom wall 18 of thetape cartridge 10 guide the ink ribbon R. No additional flange is thusrequired on the circumference of the ribbon winding core 24 forcontrolling and adjusting a winding position of the ink ribbon R. Whenthe width of the ink ribbon R is smaller than the height of the tapecartridge 10, on the other hand, a flange 24C is formed on thecircumference of the ribbon winding core 24 to guide the ink ribbon R togo through a printing position of the platen 12. The flange 24C isformed in a certain size corresponding to the width of the ink ribbon R.

In the embodiment, there are tape cartridges 10 of five different sizescorresponding to the width of the tape T as described above. Since aprintable area of the tape T differs according to the width of the tapeT, a variety of condition setting procedures are required. The tapeprinting device 1 detects the size of the tape cartridge 10 andautomatically executes required setting, thus making the user free fromtroublesome setting. The tape cartridge 10 of the embodiment has firstthrough third detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb, and 18Kc formed on the bottomwall 18 corresponding to the size of the tape T as shown in FIG. 4.Namely, depths of the three detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb, and 18Kc arechanged according to the width of the tape T accommodated in the tapecartridge 10.

FIG. 8 shows a relationship between the width of the tape T accommodatedin the tape cartridge 10 and the depths of the three detection holes18Ka, 18Kb, and 18Kc. As shown in FIG. 8, the first detection hole 18Kais formed shallow and the second and third detection holes 18Kb, 18Kc ofthe tape cartridge 10 are formed deep for a 6 mm wide tape. The firstand third detection holes 18Ka, 18Kc are formed deep for a 9 mm widetape; only the third detection hole 18Kc is deep for a 12 mm wide tape;and the first and second detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb are deep for a 18 mmwide tape. Only second detection hole 18kb is formed deep for a 24 mmwide tape. Since the size of the tape cartridge 10 is designated as acombination of the depths of the three detection holes 18Ka through18Kc, the user can also check the tape cartridge 10 with eyes.

The tape cartridge 10 thus constructed is set in the tape cartridgeholder unit 50A of the tape printing device 1. The tape printing device1 includes an extension unit 50E for connecting various packs optionallysupplied as external memory elements, the input unit 50C, and a controlcircuit unit 50F for controlling the display unit 50D and the printerunit 50B as shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 9 taken on theline IX--IX of FIG. 1.

The tape printing device 1 is also provided on a bottom face thereofwith a battery holder unit 50I for receiving six SUM-3 cells working asa power source of the whole device 1. The power switch 50J is mounted onthe right side wall of the tape printing device 1 (see FIG. 2). Powermay be supplied from a plug 50N (see FIG. 2) formed on the right sidewall of the device 1 to be connectable with an AC adapter (not shown).

Mechanical constituents of the tape printing device 1 are describedhereinafter. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a typical structure of thetape cartridge holder unit 50A, and FIG. 11 is a perspective viewillustrating an essential structure of a driving mechanism 50P fordriving the platen 12 and the other elements by means of power of astepping motor 80.

The tape cartridge holder unit 50A is disposed in a left upper positionof a main body of the tape printing device 1 and defines an attachmentspace corresponding to the shape of the tape cartridge 10 as shown inFIG. 10. The platen driving shaft and the ribbon winding core drivingshaft respectively engaging with the hollow members of the platen 12 andthe ribbon winding core 24 as well as the printing head 60 are uprightlydisposed in the attachment space of the tape cartridge holder unit 50Aas shown in FIG. 11. The tape cartridge holder unit 50A is also providedon a lower portion thereof with the driving mechanism 50P fortransmitting rotation of the stepping motor 80 to the platen 12 andother elements. The driving mechanism 50P disposed below the tapecartridge holder unit 50A is not observable even when the cover 50k isopen. FIG. 11 shows the driving mechanism 50P when the inner case of thetape cartridge holder unit 50A is eliminated. The attachment space ofthe tape cartridge holder unit 50A is covered with the cover 50K whilethe tape printing device 1 is in service.

The tape cartridge 10 is attached to or replaced in the tape cartridgeholder unit 50A while the cover 50K is open. When a slide button 51 (seeFIGS. 1 and 10) disposed before the tape cartridge holder unit 50A isslid rightward (in the drawing), engagement of the cover 50K with themain body of the device 1 is released, so that the cover 50K rotatesaround a cover hinge 54 mounted on a rear portion of the main body ofthe device 1 to be opened. A spring arm 52A integrally formed with theslide button 52 engages with an engaging element of the main body of thedevice 1 to continuously apply a leftward (in the drawing) pressingforce to the slide button 52.

When the cover 50K is opened through operation of the slide button 52,the printing head 60 for printing the tape T of the tape cartridge 10 isretreated to allow the tape cartridge 10 to be attached or detached. Theprinting head 60 is rotatably mounted on a head rotating shaft 64projected from a base board 61 as clearly seen in FIG. 11. The printinghead 60 includes a head body 65 having a plurality of heating dotelements, a radiator plate 65b holding the head body 65 via an insulator65a, a frame element 67 for supporting the radiator plate 65b through aconnection plate 67a, a coil spring 66 pressing the printing head 60 inan initial direction, and a flexible cable constituting an electricwiring to the head body 65.

The printing head 60 is only roughly aligned with the platen 12 in thetape cartridge 10 through attachment of the tape cartridge 10 in thetape printing device 1. Namely, the printing head 60 is not always incontact with the platen rubber 14 along the height of the platen 12uniformly when the tape cartridge 10 is set in the device 1. In the tapeprinting device 1 of the embodiment, the connection plate 67a is fixedto the frame element 67 via a pin 67b inserted into an opening of theconnection plate 67a, and the radiator plate 65b holding the head body65 is thus rotatable around the pin 67b. This allows the head body 65 tohold the tape T between the platen 12 and the head body 65 and to beuniformly in contact with the height of the platen 12 irrespective ofthe attachment conditions of the tape cartridge 10 with respect to thetape cartridge holder unit 50A when the printing head 60 is pressedtowards the platen 12.

A lower end of the frame element 67 is extended to form a link plate 62.The link plate 62 is positioned in a gear train shown in FIG. 11, andhas a free end positioned in the vicinity of a boundary of the displayunit 50D (see FIG. 10). The free end of the link plate 62 holds one endof a coil spring 69 to connect a driving member 63 with the link plate62. The driving member 63 having a substantially triangular shape has afirst end 63a holding the other end of the coil spring 69 and a secondend 63b placed opposite to the cover 50K as shown in FIG. 11. Anoperation arm 50S is extended from the cover 50K to be positionedopposite to the second end 63b of the driving member 63, and presses thesecond end 63b when the cover 50K is closed.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view schematically showing such a movementdescribed above, taken on the line XII--XII of FIG. 10. When the cover50K is pressed downward, the operation arm 50S presses the second end63b of the driving member 63 downward, and the link plate 62 rotatinglymoves rightward (in FIG. 11) via the coil spring 69, accordingly. Such arotating movement of the link plate 62 rotates the printing head 60against the pressing force of the coil spring 66. The printing head 60thereby moves from its retreated position to a printing position facingthe platen 12 of the tape cartridge 10 set in the tape printingdevice 1. When the cover 50K is closed, the printing head 60 isaccordingly shifted to the printing position. When the cover 50K isopened, on the contrary, the printing head 60 is shifted to theretreated position to allow the tape cartridge 10 to be detached orattached. The printing head 60 once retreated is kept in the retreatedposition by means of the coil spring 66 while the cover 50K is open, andgoes back to the printing position to press against the platen 12 whenthe cover 50K is closed.

As described previously, the first engagement piece 18D and the secondengagement piece 18H are formed on the bottom wall 18 of the tapecartridge 10 to engage with the first engaging element 22A and thesecond engaging element 24A so as to prevent unintentional rotation ofthe ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon winding core 24 (see FIGS. 3 and4). The first engagement piece 18D and the second engagement piece 18Hare formed respectively by cutting the parts of the bottom wall 18(hatched portions designated as X and Y in FIG. 3). The tape cartridgeholder unit 50A has two cone-shaped contact projections 70A and 70B at aposition substantially in the middle of the hatched portions X and Y asshown in FIG. 10. When the tape cartridge 10 is set in the tapecartridge holder unit 50A, the contact projections 70A and 70B arefitted in the hatched portions X and Y of the bottom wall 18 of the tapecartridge 10 to press the first and the second engagement pieces 18D and18H in a direction away from the first engaging element 22A of the inkribbon core 22 and the second engaging element 24A of the ribbon windingcore 24. This pressing movement releases engagement of the first and thesecond engagement pieces 18D and 18H with the ink ribbon core 22 and theribbon winding core 24, thus allowing the ink ribbon core 22 and theribbon winding core 24 to rotate without any additional load.

A transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of the stepping motor80 to a platen driving shaft 72 of the platen 12 is described in detail.As shown in FIG. 11, a first gear 81 is attached to a rotational shaft80A of the stepping motor 80, and a clutch arm 80B engages with therotational shaft 80A with predetermined friction. The clutch arm 80B,together with a second gear 82 and a third gear 83, constitutes aone-way clutch. When the stepping motor 80 is rotated in a directionshown by the arrow C in FIG. 11, the friction between the rotationalshaft 80A and the clutch arm 80B rotates the clutch arm 80B with thesecond gear 82 in the directions shown by the arrow C to engage with thethird gear 83. Rotation of the stepping motor 80 is thus transmitted tothe third gear 83. Functions of the one-way clutch will be furtherdescribed later.

Rotation of the third gear 83 is then transmitted to a fifth gear 85 anda sixth gear 86 via a fourth gear 84 through repeated gear-downoperation. A rotational shaft of the fifth gear 85 is connected to aribbon winding core driving shaft 74 to wind the ink ribbon R accordingto rotation of the stepping motor 80. A rim 74A actually driving theribbon winding core 24 is attached to the ribbon winding core drivingshaft 74 with a predetermined friction. Under normal operatingconditions, the rim 74A rotates with the ribbon winding core drivingshaft 74 rotated by the stepping motor 80. When the ribbon winding core24 is made unrotatable, for example, due to completion of winding of theink ribbon R, on the other hand, the rim 74A slips against rotation ofthe ribbon winding core driving shaft 74.

Rotation of the sixth gear 86 is further transmitted to a seventh gear87 to rotate the platen driving shaft 72. The platen driving shaft 72has a rim 72A which engages with the inner surface of the platen 12 torotate the platen 12. Rotation of the stepping motor 80 transmitted tothe third gear 83 by means of the one-way clutch finally rotates theplaten driving shaft 72 and the ribbon winding core driving shaft 74,accordingly. The tape T held between the platen rubber 14 on thecircumference of the Platen 12 and the head body 65 of the printing head60 is thus continuously fed with progress of printing, and the inkribbon R is wound on the ribbon winding core 24 synchronously withfeeding of the tape T.

The platen driving shaft 72 has, on an outer surface thereof, threeengagement projections 72B which are formed at the equal intervals toengage with the engagement grooves 12A formed on the inner surface ofthe platen 12. The ribbon winding core driving shaft 74 also has threeengagement projections 74B which are formed at the equal intervals on anouter surface thereof to engage with the engagement grooves 24B formedon the inner surface of the ribbon winding core 24. When the platendriving shaft 72 and the ribbon winding core driving shaft 74 arerotated at a predetermined rate by the stepping motor 80, the tape T andthe ink ribbon R are respectively pulled by a predetermined amount outof the tape core 20 and the ink ribbon core 22 to be overlapped witheach other and go through the platen rubber 14 and the printing head 60.In the meanwhile, power supplied to the printing head 60 controlsheating of the dot elements on the printing head 60 to melt ink of theink ribbon R corresponding to the heated dot elements. The melted ink isthen thermally transferred to the tape T to complete printing on thetape T. After printing, the tape T with the print is fed out from thetape cartridge 10 while the ink ribbon R used for printing is wound onthe ribbon winding core 24.

The tape T conveyed with progress of printing is finally fed out of thetape outlet 10A disposed on the left side wall of the main body of thetape printing device 1. The tape T with the print is normally cut with acutting mechanism (described later). There is, however, a possibilitythat the user forcibly pulls out the tape T prior to cutting. Since theprinting head 60 presses the tape T against the platen rubber 14 of theplaten 12 while the cover 50K is closed, the forcible pull-out of thetape T makes the platen driving shaft 72 rotate. The gear-down operationand a certain amount of retaining torque of the stepping motor 80,however, prevent rotation of the platen driving shaft 72 and the ribbonwinding core driving shaft 74 in a conventional driving mechanism. Theforcible pull-out of the tape leads to unintentional pull-out of the inkribbon R, accordingly. When the tape T is cut with the cutting mechanismunder such circumstances, the ink ribbon R is also cut undesirably. Thismakes the tape cartridge 10 unusable any more.

In the embodiment, the one-way clutch including the clutch arm 80B, thesecond gear 82, and the third gear 83 solves such a problem. When theuser forcibly pulls out the tape T, the platen driving shaft 72 rotateswith the platen 12 in the structure of the embodiment. Rotation of theplaten driving shaft 72 is transmitted to the third gear 83 via the geartrain to rotate the third gear 83 clockwise. Rotation of the third gear83 makes the second gear 82 rotate. However, since the rotational shaft80A of the stepping motor 80 is not rotated, a rotational force of thethird gear 83 presses the clutch arm 80B supporting the second gear 82to release engagement of the third gear 83 with the second gear 82. Thisresults in separating the third through seventh gears 83 through 87 fromthe stepping motor 80 to allow the ribbon winding core driving shaft 74to rotate with rotation of the platen driving shaft 72 due to pull-outmovement of the tape T. The rotation of the ribbon winding core drivingshaft 74 makes the ink ribbon R wound on the ribbon winding core 24 withpull-out of the tape T, thus effectively preventing unintentionalpull-out of the ink ribbon R with the tape T. When the stepping motor 80starts rotating, the clutch arm 80B is shifted again towards the thirdgear 83 to engage the second gear 82 With the third gear 83. Since afree end of the clutch arm 80B is fitted in an opening 80C formed on abase 61 as shown in FIG. 11, the movement of the clutch arm 80B isdefined in a relatively small range. This moving range is, however,sufficient to make the clutch arm 80B function as the one-way clutch.

The tape T with the print fed leftward out of the tape cartridge 10 isreadily cut with the cutting mechanism, which is shown in detail inFIGS. 10 and 13. FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view mainly showing thecutting mechanism, taken on the line XIII--XIII of FIG. 10. A cuttersupport shaft 92 protruded from a bottom face of the tape cartridgeholder unit 50A holds a substantially L-shaped, pivotably movable tapecutter 90 and a spring 94. A resilient force of the spring 94 keeps thetape cutter 90 under such a condition that a clockwise rotational forceis applied onto the tape cutter 90 as shown by the solid line in FIG.13. With this clockwise rotational force, a left end 90A of the tapecutter 90 presses a cutter button 96 upward. The left end 90A of thetape cutter 90 is formed in a fork shape to receive a pin 96A mounted ona rear face of the cutter button 96. When the cutter button 96 ispressed downward, the left end 90A of the tape cutter 90 shiftsdownward, accordingly.

A right end 90B of the tape cutter 90 has a movable blade 98 for cuttingthe tape T, which is arranged at a predetermined angle apart from afixed blade 91 attached to a side face of the tape cartridge holder unit50A. A shoulder 93A of a tape support finger 93 (see FIG. 10) is incontact with a rear face of the right end 90B of the tape cutter 90. Thetape support finger 93 is pressed against a feeding path of the tape Tby a spring 95 as shown in FIG. 10. When the tape cutter 90 rotates toshift the movable blade 98 towards the fixed blade 91, the tape supportfinger 93 moves towards the feeding path of the tape T. A fixed wall 97is disposed opposite to the tape support finger 93 across the feedingpath of the tape T. The tape T is fixed between the tape support finger93 and the fixed wall 97 prior to cutting of the tape T by the movableblade 98 and the fixed blade 91. Movement of the tape support finger 93is detected by a detection switch 99, which prevents printing during thecutting operation of the tape T as described later.

The tape T is cut by pressing the cutter button 96 downward against theresilient force of the spring 94. When the cutter button 96 is presseddownward to rotate the tape cutter 90 counterclockwise (in FIG. 13), themovable blade 98 formed on the right end 90B of the tape cutter 90 alsorotates counterclockwise. The tape support finger 93 and the fixed wall97 securely hold the tape T therebetween, and the movable blade 98 isgradually overlapped with the fixed blade 91 to cut the tape T.

Details of the input unit 50C, the display unit 50D, and the printerunit 50B incorporated in the tape printing device 1 are described belowafter brief description of an electrical structure of the various unitsincluding the control circuit unit 50F. The control circuit unit 50Fconstituted as a printed circuit board is installed with the printerunit 50B immediately below the cover 50K. FIG. 14 is a block diagramschematically showing the general electric structure of the variousunits. The control circuit unit 50F of the tape printing device 1includes a one-chip microcomputer 110 (hereinafter referred to as CPU)having a ROM, a RAM, and input and output ports integrally incorporatedtherein, a mask ROM 118, and a variety of circuits functioning asinterfaces between the CPU 110 and the input unit 50C, the display unit50D, and the printer unit 50B. The CPU 110 connects with the input unit50C, the display unit 50D, and the printer unit 50B directly or theinterface circuits to control these units.

The input unit 50C has forty-eight character keys and fifteen functionskeys, sixty-three keys in total, as shown in FIG. 15. The Character keysform a so-called full-key structure according to a JIS (JapaneseIndustrial Standards) arrangement. Like a conventional word processor,the input unit 50C has a commonly known shift key to avoid undesirableincrease in the number of keys. The functions keys enhance the abilityof the tape printing device 1 by realizing quick execution of variousfunctions for character input, editing, and printing.

These character keys and the function keys are allocated to an 8×8matrix. As shown in FIG. 14, sixteen input ports PA1 through PA8 and PC1through PC8 of the CPU 110 are divided into groups, and the sixty-threekeys of the input unit 50C are arranged at the respective intersectionsof the input ports. The power switch 50J is formed independently of thematrix keys and connects with a non-maskable interrupt NMI of the CPU110. When the power switch 50J is operated, the CPU 110 startsnon-maskable interruption to supply or shut off the power.

An output from an opening/closing detection switch 55 for detectingopening and closing of the cover 50K is input to a port PB5, so that theCPU 110 interrupts to monitor the opening and closing conditions of thecover 50K. The opening/closing detection switch 55 detects the movementof the cover 50K according to a movement of an opening/closing detectionswitch engagement projection 55L (see FIG. 12) disposed on an end of thecover 50K. When the opening/closing detection switch 55 detects openingof the cover 50K while the printing head 60 is driven, the CPU 110displays a predetermined error command on a main display element 50Da(see FIG. 16) of the display unit 50D and cuts the power supply to theprinter unit 50B.

Ports PH, PM, and PL of the CPU 110 are connected with a head rankdetection element 112 which adjusts a varied resistance of the printinghead 60 by means of a software. The resistance of the printing head 60significantly varies according to the manufacture process, which changesa power-supply time required for printing of a predetermined density.The head rank detection element 112 measures the resistance of theprinting head 60 to determine a rank of the printing head 60 and setthree jumper elements 112A, 112B, and 112C of the head rank detectionelement 112 based on the measurement results. The CPU 110 then reads theconditions of the head rank detection element 112 to correct a drivingtime or heating amount of the printing head 60, thus effectivelypreventing the varied density of printing.

Since the printer unit 50B implements thermal transfer printing, thedensity of printing varies with a temperature and a driving voltage aswell as the power-supply time of the thermal printing head 60. Atemperature detection circuit 60A and a voltage detection circuit 60Brespectively detect the temperature and the driving voltage. Thesecircuits 60A and 60B are integrally incorporated in the printing head 60and connect with two-channel analog-digital conversion input ports AD1and AD2 of the CPU 110. The CPU 110 reads voltages input and convertedto digital signals through the input ports AD1 and AD2 to correct thepower-supply time of the printing head 60.

A discriminating switch 102 disposed on a right lower corner of the tapecartridge holder unit 50A (see FIG. 10) is connected with ports PB1through PB3 of the CPU 110. The discriminating switch 102 includes threecartridge discriminating switch elements 102A, 102B, and 102Crespectively inserted into the three detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb, and18Kc formed on the tape cartridge 10. Projections of the cartridgediscriminating switch elements 102A, 102B, and 102C are designedaccording to the depths of the detection holes 18K formed on the bottomwall 18 of the tape cartridge 10. When the cartridge discriminatingswitch element 102 is inserted in a shallow detection hole 18K, thecartridge discriminating switch element 102 is in contact with andpressed by the detection hole 18K to be turned ON. When the cartridgediscriminating switch element 102 is inserted in a deep detection hole18K, on the other hand, the cartridge discriminating switch element 102is loosely fitted in the detection hole 18K to be kept OFF. The CPU 110determines the type of the tape cartridge 10 set in the tape cartridgeholder unit 50A, that is, the width of the tape T accommodated in thetape cartridge 10 according to conditions of the three cartridgediscriminating switch elements 102A, 102B, and 102C of thediscriminating switch 102. Tape width information representing the widthof the tape T is used for determining a printed character size andcontrolling the printer unit 50B (described later).

A port PB7 of the CPU 110 receives a signal from a contact of the plug50N. While the plug 50N receives direct current from an AC adapter 113through insertion of a jack 115, power supply from a battery BT to apower unit 114 is cut by means of a braking contact to avoid powerconsumption of the battery BT. In the meantime, a signal output from thecontact on the plug 50N is input to the port PB7 of the CPU 110. The CPU110 reads the signal to determine whether power is supplied from the ACadapter 113 or the battery BT and execute required controls. In theembodiment, when power is supplied from the AC adapter 113, a printingspeed of the printer unit 50B is set at a maximum value. When power issupplied from the battery BT, on the other hand, the printing speed ofthe printer unit 50B is slowed down to reduce an electric current peaksupplied to the printing head 60 and save power of the battery BT.

The twenty four mega-bit mask ROM 118 connected to an address bus anddata bus of the CPU 110 stores four different fonts of 16×16 dots, 24×24dots, 32×32 dots, and 48×48 dots. The mask ROM 118 stores alphabeticaltypes such as elite, pica, and courier as well as Chinese characters andother specific characters and symbols required in the respectivecountries. A 24 bit address bus AD, an 8 bit data bus DA, a chipselecting signal CS, an output enabling signal OE of the mask ROM 118are connected with ports PD0 through PD33 of the CPU 110. These signalsare also input to an external input/output connector 50Ea to allow theextension unit 50E attached to the external input/output connector 50Eato be accessible in a similar manner to the mask ROM 118.

The extension unit 50E directly connectable with the control circuitunit 50F receives a ROM pack or RAM pack optionally supplied as anexternal memory element. The control circuit unit 50F is electricallyconnected with the external input/output connector 50Ea throughinsertion of the ROM pack or RAM pack into a slot of the extension unit50E, so that information is transmittable between the CPU 110 and theROM pack or RAM pack. The ROM pack inserted in the extension unit 50Emay store specific characters and symbols for drawings, maps, chemistry,and mathematics as well as linguistic fonts other than English orJapanese, and character fonts such as Gothic and hand-writing type facesso as to allow editing of a desirable series of characters. The batterybacked-upRAM pack which information is freely written in mayalternatively be inserted in the extension unit 50E. The RAM pack storesa greater amount of information than a memory capacity of an internalRAM area of the tape printing device to create a library of printingcharacters or to be used for information exchange with another tapeprinting device 1.

Character dot data read out of the mask ROM 118 or the extension unit50E are input to an LCD controller 116A of a display control circuit 116as well as the CPU 110.

The display unit 50D controlled by the CPU 110 via the display controlcircuit 116 is laid under a transparent portion of the cover 50K. Theuser can thus see the display unit 50D through the cover 50K. Thedisplay unit 50D has two different electrode patterns on aliquid-crystal panel; that is, a dot matrix pattern of32(height)×96(width) dots and twenty eight pentagonal electrode patternssurrounding the dot matrix pattern, as shown in FIG. 16. An area of thedot matrix pattern is designated as a main display element 50Da fordisplaying a printing image while an area of the pentagonal electrodepatterns is referred to as an indicator element 50Db.

The main display element 50Da is a liquid crystal display panel allowinga display of 32 dots in height×96 dots in width. In the embodiment,since a character font of 15 dots in height×16 dots in width is used forcharacter input and editing, a display on the main display element 50Daincludes twelve characters×two lines. Alternatively, the main displayelement 50Da may include four lines of letters when only an alphabeticalfont is used. Each character is shown as a positive display, a negativedisplay, or a flickering display according to the editing process.

The display on the dot-matrix main display element 50Da is controlledaccording to the requirement. For example, a layout of a printing imagemay be displayed after a certain key input operation. When the userinstructs display of a layout, as shown in FIG. 17, a tape width isshown as a negative display and a series of printing characters aredisplayed in white, where each dot of the main display element 50Dacorresponds to 4×4 dots in printing. A whole length of the tape isdisplayed numerically as supplementary information of the printingimage. When the layout of the printing image is larger than the area ofthe main display element 50Da, the whole layout may be observed andchecked through vertical or horizontal scroll with cursor keysoperation.

The indicator element 50Db surrounding the main display element 50Dadisplays a variety of functions executed by the tape printing device 1.Display elements t each corresponding to a pentagonal electrode patternof the indicator element 50Db represent a variety of functions andconditions printed around the pentagonal patterns of the display unit50D. These functions and conditions include a character input mode suchas `romaji` (Japanese in Roman characters) or `small letter`, a printingand editing style such as `line number` and `keyline box`, and a printformat like `justification` or `left-weight`. When a function or acondition is executed or selected, the display element corresponding tothe function or condition lights up to inform the user.

The printer unit 50B of the tape printing device includes the printinghead 60 and the stepping motor 80 as mechanical constituents, and aprinter controller 120 for controlling the mechanical constituents and amotor driver 122 as electrical constituents. The printing head 60 is athermal head having ninety-six heating points arranged in a column at apitch of 1/180 inch, and internally provided with the temperaturedetection circuit 60A for detecting the temperature and the voltagedetection circuit 60B for detecting the supply voltage as describedpreviously. The stepping motor 80 regulates a rotational angle bycontrolling a phase of a four-phase driving signal. A tape feedingamount of each step by the stepping motor 80 is set equal to 1/360 inchaccording to the structure of the gear train functioning as a reductiongear mechanism. The stepping motor 80 receives a two-step rotationsignal synchronously with each dot printing executed by the printinghead 60. The printer unit 50B thereby has a printing pitch of 180dots/inch in the longitudinal direction of the tape as well as thedirection of the tape width.

A detection switch 99 for detecting operation of the cutting mechanismis connected to a common line of connecting signal lines between theprinter controller 120, the motor driver 122, and the CPU 110 as shownin FIG. 14. When the cutting mechanism is driven during printingoperation, the detection switch 99 detects operation of the cuttingmechanism and inactivates the printer unit 50B. Since signals arecontinuously sent from the CPU 110 to the printer controller 120 and themotor driver 122, printing may, however, be continued after the userinterrupts to use the cutting mechanism.

Actuation of the cutting mechanism during a printing process interfereswith normal feeding of the tape T. The detection switch 99 of theembodiment is thus directly connected with the common line of the motordriver 122 to forcibly cut the power off so as to immediately stop theprinting process or more specifically the tape feeding. In analternative structure, an output of the detection switch 99 may be inputto the CPU 110, and the printer unit 50B is inactivated according to asoftware as is the case of untimely opening of the cover 50K. Thedetection switch 99 may be replaced by a mechanical structure whichpresses the clutch arm 80B according to the movement of the movableblade 98 to prevent rotation of the stepping motor 80 from beingtransmitted to the platen driving shaft 72.

The tape printing device 1 is further provided with a power unit 114,which receives a stable back-up or logic circuit 5 V power from thebattery BT by an RCC method using an IC and a transformer. The CPU 110includes a port PB4 for regulating the voltage.

The tape printing device 1 of the embodiment has a margin settingfunction for setting specified lengths of left and right margins beforeand after a series of printing characters as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B.The margin setting function is realized by a left margin tape-feedingphase control signal output prior to transmission of 96 bit serialprinting data and a right margin tape-feeding phase control signaloutput after transmission of all the serial printing data. When aspecified length of the left margin is smaller than a predetermineddistance between a printing position and a tape cut position (less than8 mm in the embodiment) as shown in FIG. 18B, the specified length ofthe left margin can not be set. In such a case, while the tape T is fedby a specified length of the right margin after completion of printing,a cut mark PCM is printed when the printing head 60 is positioned beforea subsequent printing position by the specified length of a subsequentleft margin. The user can cut the tape T fed out of the tape cartridge10 at the position of the cut mark PCM. Labels having a desirable lengthof the left margin are obtained by such a simple process. The abovedescribed advantages may be fully appreciated by comparing FIG. 18B withthe example of FIG. 18A where the predetermined distance between aprinting position and a tape cut position is equivalent to the specifiedlength of the left margin (greater or equal to 8 mm in one embodiment).

The internal ROM of the CPU 110 stores a variety of programs forcontrolling the peripheral circuits. The internal RAM of the CPU 110includes a first part designated as a system's area used for executionof the variety of programs stored in the internal ROM and a second partdefined as a user's area including a text area for character editing anda file area for storing contents of the text.

The text area receives 125 characters of fixed input at the maximum, andstores character codes as well as style data and mode data used forediting the characters. The memory contents in the text area may besupplemented or updated according to character input and editingoperation.

The internal RAM has a file area of 1,500-character capacity while theoptionally supplied RAM pack has a file area of 2,000-charactercapacity. The file area stores and manages a maximum of 99 variablelength files having ID numbers of 1 through 99 according to a filemanagement program stored in the internal ROM. The file managementprogram is also used for basic operations such as file register and filedelete.

An essential process routine executed by the CPU 110 of the tapeprinting device 1 of the embodiment is described according to theflowchart of FIG. 19. The tape printing device 1 has a variety ofoperation modes including a printing information specification mode anda layout display mode. The tape printing device 1 is set in one of theoperation modes in response to a press of a corresponding function keyon the input unit 50C. When no function keys are operated but acharacter key is pressed, character data corresponding to the characterkey is input.

When the program enters the process routine of FIG. 19, the process modeis first identified at step 200. When no specific operation mode isspecified, the tape printing device 1 is determined to be in a characterinput mode and wait for input of character data at step 210. Characterdata corresponding to alphabets and figures input from the input unit50C are directly transferred to a print data buffer whereas thosecorresponding to `kana` (Japanese alphabets) are sent to the print databuffer after a required conversion of some `kana` to `kanji` (Chinesecharacters).

Character data newly input from the input unit 50C are generally addedto the end of print data stored in the print data buffer, or may beinserted into any desirable position of an existing series of inputcharacters with the aid of cursor positioning. Alternatively, the newlyinput character data may be over-written to replace the existing inputcharacters.

The print data buffer stores 125 characters at the maximum. When printdata over the 125-character capacity are input from the input unit 50C,the CPU 110 executes an overflow process at step 220. In the case of`kana` input, the overflow process is executed after conversion to`kanji`. The overflow process eliminates character data exceeding the125-character limit from the end of print data stored in the print databuffer in either case when input character data are added to the end ofthe print data or when input character data are inserted at a desirableposition of the print data.

After the overflow process, the program goes to step 230 at which aseries of characters finally settled are displayed on the display unit50D. The display unit 50D has a display range of six characters by twolines at most, where each line has a line head mark representing a linenumber. The line head mark occupies a one-character space (16 bits) inthe print data buffer, and includes a flag for identifying a line headmark (2 bits), line number data (2 bits for the maximum of four lines),font style data (3 bits for 7 font styles), font data (5 bits includingidentification of an internal font or an external font), line spacingand inter-character spacing information (4 bits). The line head mark isgenerally shown as a highlighted numeral representing a line number, asdescribed later. After the display process of step 230, the program goesto `NEXT` and exits from the routine.

When the printing information specification mode is selected, theprogram goes to step 240 at which required printing information isspecified, and either `AUTO` mode or `MANUAL` mode is selected forplural-line printing. The required printing information includes anumber of printing lines, a font style (for example, bold, italic orslant, underlined, outlined, and highlighted), an inter-characterspacing (narrow, standard, wide), a line spacing (narrow, standard,wide), and font data representing an internal font or an external ROMfont. Each printing information is specified by selecting a desirableone out of a plurality of choices previously prepared. For example, thenumber of printing lines is selected among `1`, `2`, `3`, and `4` sincethe maximum number of printing lines is set equal to four in theembodiment. The auto/manual mode for plural-line printing is determinedby selecting either `AUTO` or `MANUAL`. The plurality of choices aresuccessively highlighted on the display unit 50D through operation ofthe cursor keys and the space key. The user presses the `Select` key onthe input unit 50C to settle each printing information selected.

In the structure of the embodiment, when print data exist in a pluralityof lines in the print data buffer, a number of lines set at step 240should be equal to or greater than the plurality of lines. When no printdata exist in one or more lines after specification of plural-lineprinting, on the contrary, the line number set at step 240 may be lessthan the line number previously specified. For example, when print dataexists only in one line under such a condition that three-line printingis previously specified as shown in FIG. 20A, the number of lines set atstep 240 may be any number between 1 and 4. When print data exists intwo lines as shown in FIG. 20B, the number of lines set at step 240 maybe equal to 2, 3, or 4. In the tape printing device 1 of the embodiment,`Style` includes specification of the number of printing lines andhorizontal or vertical printing, and `Mode` denotes specification ofother printing data such as inter-character spacing as shown in FIG. 16.

When plural-line printing is specified, the program goes to step 250 atwhich a desirable font combination is determined. The tape printingdevice 1 of the embodiment includes four different font data of 16×16dots to 48×48 dots as basic fonts in the mask ROM 118 as shown in FIG.21. In each font, the height and the width are respectively expandableby two times and four times. There are thus ten possible combinations ofprintable dots or fonts including the maximum font of 96×192 dots asshown in FIG. 21. When a series of characters are printed in a pluralityof lines, specification of the font for printing characters on each lineis required as well as input of characters to be printed on the line.

In the embodiment, there is a specific mode for inputting a relativesize of characters to be printed on each line through key operation ofthe input unit 50C, instead of directly specifying the character font.For example, in three-line printing, the character size is relativelylarge on the first line and the second line, and relatively small on thethird line. The tape printing device 1 of the embodiment is furtherprovided with a simpler mode, wherein the user selects an optimalcombination of relative character sizes out of a plurality of standardcombinations. There are five options for three-line printing as shown inFIG. 22; that is, (1) same character size x3, (2) small, small, large,(3) small, large, large, (4) large, small, small, and (5) large, large,small. The user selects one of these five options instead of inputtingthe relative character size of each line. The device 1 of the embodimentalso has a manual mode wherein the user manually determines a font sizeof characters printed on each line. In this manual mode, the user shouldconfirm that a total dot number of plural lines is within 96 in thedirection of the height. The desirable font may be specified from avariety of layouts displayed on the display unit 50D as shown in FIG.23.

After the desirable font combination is specified at step 250, theprogram proceeds to step 230 for displaying input characters. In thedisplay process of step 230, when two or more line printing isspecified, each line has a highlighted line head mark, for example, `1`or `2` as shown in FIG. 24. When `MANUAL` mode is selected, all the linehead marks are shown as highlighted numerals. In `AUTO` mode, on theother hand, the line head mark for a vacant second or subsequent linewith no print data is displayed in a standard style, that is, as anon-highlighted numeral with a frame. In the latter case, aftercharacter data are input in the vacant second or subsequent line atsteps 210 and 220, the line head mark is changed to a highlightednumeral as shown in the bottom drawing of FIG. 24.

The number of printing lines newly set at step 240 may be different fromthe number of existing lines previously specified. When the line numberis increased, as shown in FIG. 25A, a vacant line with no print data isadded to the end of the existing lines. When the smaller number of linesare specified at step 240, on the contrary, there exists at least oneline with no print data as described above. In such a case, the linewith no print data is deleted. When there are a plurality of lines withno print data, a lower number line with no print data is first deletedas clearly seen in FIG. 25B. In a modified structure, a new line may beadded to the top of the existing lines or an upper existing line with noprint data may be deleted first.

When the layout display mode is selected at step 200, the program goesto step 260 at which the CPU 110 reads an output of the cartridgediscriminating switch 102, which represents the type of tape cartridge10 set in the tape printing device 1, and more specifically, theprintable width of the tape T. After identification of the width of thetape T, the program goes to step 270 to display a layout based on thenumber of printing lines currently specified and specification of thefont combination. A standard layout displayed on the display unit 50D isshown in FIG. 17. FIG. 26A and 26B show other exemplified layouts whenno tape cartridge 10 is set in the tape printing device 1 and when the`Style` and `Mode` (including the number of lines and the fontcombination as mentioned above) currently specified do not agree withthe tape width of the tape cartridge 10 set in the tape printing device1.

When the width of the tape T agrees with the `Style` and `Mode` as shownin FIG. 17, the tape T is shown black and characters are shown white.When the tape T is not set in the tape printing device 1, the tape T isnot displayed and characters (with a frame line according to therequirements) are shown black as seen in FIG. 26A. This black characterdisplay distinctively shows no setting of the tape T.

When the width of the tape T is insufficient for the currently specified`Style` and `Mode`, a portion out of the tape width is highlighted asshown in FIG. 26B. In either case of FIG. 26A or 26B, an acoustic orvisual alarm may also inform the user of non-tape setting orinappropriate tape setting. After the layout display process of FIG. 24,the program goes to step 230 for standard character display.

When a print mode is selected at step 200, the program goes to step 280at which the CPU 110 reads detection signals output from the cartridgediscriminating switch 102. The CPU 110 determines the width of the tapeT set currently set in the tape printing device 1 based on the detectionsignals from the cartridge discriminating switch 102, and expands a dotpattern of each printing line according to the tape width and therelative character size of each line by referring to a font mappreviously stored in the internal ROM at step 290. The dot pattern ofeach line is expanded in the following manner.

A font of each line is uniquely determined according to the relativecharacter sizes of a plurality of lines and the tape width as shown inFIGS. 21 and 22. For example, in three-line printing, when the tapewidth is 12 mm and the relative sizes are `large, small, small`, theselected font is S for the first line and P for the second and the thirdlines. In two-line printing, the font of each line is determined in thesame manner as above (its procedure is not described here).

After determination of the font for each line, the CPU 110 successivelyreads the determined font corresponding to character codes representinga desirable series of characters previously input by the user, out ofthe mask ROM 118, and expands the font to a dot pattern. Aftercompleting the dot pattern expansion at step 290, the program goes tostep 300 for printing process. More concretely, the CPU 110 creates 96bit serial data by extracting the dot pattern by every column, andtransfers the serial data to the printer unit 50B.

A series of characters stored in the print data buffer are then printedaccording to `AUTO` mode or `MANUAL` mode. In `MANUAL` mode, print datastored in the print data buffer are printed according to the number oflines previously specified. After plural-line printing, for example,two-line printing, is specified and print data are input for two lines,print data on the second line may be eliminated according to therequirements. In such a case that the user eliminates print data on thesecond line, print data for only the first line should be printed. In`AUTO` mode, when no print data exists on the second line, only thefirst line is determined as a printing line and a font of a large fontsize is expanded to a dot pattern as shown in FIG. 27A. When print dataexist on both the first and the second lines, on the other hand, anotherfont of a smaller font size is selected for printing data on both thefirst and the second lines as shown in FIG. 27B. In `MANUAL` mode shownin FIG. 27C, even when no print data exists on the second line, aselected font is identical with that for the two-line printing of FIG.27B, and only the first line is printed by the selected font. Thisprinting procedure is applied to any plural-line printing such asthree-line printing or four-line printing as well as two-line printingdescribed above.

In the tape printing device 1 of the embodiment, print data input fromthe input unit 50C can be stored as a file in the internal RAM having a1,500 character capacity and in the extension unit 50E having a 2,000character capacity. When a read/write mode is selected at step 200, theprogram goes to step 310 at which it is determined whether a file isaccessible. In the write mode, file accessibility implies existence of avacant space for storing a new file in the internal RAM or the extensionunit 50E. In the read mode, file accessibility denotes existence of apreviously recorded file. When the file is not accessible at step 310,the program goes to step 230 (character display step) after displayingerror message `out of access`. When the file is accessible at step 310,on the contrary, the program goes to step 320 at which a series ofcharacters currently stored in the print data buffer are recorded as afile in the write mode, or a series of characters previously recordedare read out to the print data buffer in the read mode.

When a series of characters in the print data buffer are recorded as afile, attribute information of the characters, that is, `Mode` and`Style` described above, is recorded together. More concretely,information including the number of printing lines, the specified font,the inter-character spacing, the line spacing, and the font style (bold,outlined, underlined, italic or slant) is recorded with print data. Inthe read mode, print data are called out with attribute information tothe print data buffer. When print data newly input from the input unit50C exists in the print data buffer, read-out print data are added tothe end of the existing print data in the print data buffer. In thiscase, when attribute information of the read-out print data is differentfrom that of the existing print data, a discrimination mark is given tothe read-out print data at step 330.

The discrimination mark, for example, a rightward closed triangle isplaced immediately after the line head mark as shown in FIG. 28. Thediscrimination mark contains information such as the font style and theinter-character spacing as the line head mark. The read-out print dataconnected to the existing print data in the print data buffer includescurrent attribute information set in the line head mark and attributeinformation recorded in a file in the discrimination mark placedimmediately after the line head mark. As a result, the newly input printdata are printed according to the current attribute information whereasthe read-out print data with the discrimination mark are printedaccording to the attribute information recorded in the file. When a newparagraph is set after the read-out print data, the attributeinformation of the read-out print data set in the discrimination markdoes not affect attribute of new print data input into the newparagraph. When it is preferable to change the attribute of the read-outprint data to be identical with the attribute of print data input fromthe input unit 50C and stored before the read-out print data in theprint data buffer, the discrimination mark is to be eliminated.

The tape printing device 1 of the embodiment may be set and operated ina variety of modes other than the typical operation modes describedabove (explanation of the other operation modes are omitted here).

In the tape printing device 1 constructed as above, an adequate font forprinting each line is determined according to the relative charactersizes of a plurality of lines and the tape width specified prior toprinting. The tape printing device 1 thus prints out a series ofcharacters according to a suitable font on a tape T of a desirable widthwithout any troublesome management or control.

The user of the tape printing device 1 performs a variety of operationsaccording to his value image of a printing tape having a series ofcharacters printed thereon, and generally does not have a concrete ideawhich font or what font size is preferred. In the conventional printingdevice, the user should specify the exact character size by referring toprinting samples. In the tape printing device 1 of the embodiment, onthe other hand, the user should determine the relative character size ofeach line according to his value image. The printing device 1 thenautomatically determines a suitable size of the font for printing eachline. This structure makes the user free from troublesome management ofthe tapes T having different widths, complicated calculation of the dotnumber of the font, or other time-consuming operations required fordesirable printing.

In `AUTO` mode, when two-line printing is specified, different printscan be obtained according to existence of print data on the second line.When the user eliminates print data on the second line afterspecification of two-line printing, the tape printing device 1identifies the situation and automatically changes the printingcondition to one-line printing. This `AUTO` mode dramatically improvesthe usability and working efficiency of the tape printing device 1. The`AUTO` mode and `MANUAL` mode are clearly distinguished from each otherbased on display of the line head mark as described previously.

When the tape T is not set in the tape printing device 1 or when thetape width is insufficient for the specified Style and Mode, the layoutdisplay function of the tape printing device 1 distinctively informs theuser of the problem. Although printing process is not executed in alatter case in the above embodiment, the device 1 may have asupplementary function of executing automatic reduction or display ofpossible choices after alarming insufficiency.

In the tape printing device 1 of the embodiment, print data may berecorded with its attribute information in a file or read out and addedto existing print data in the print data buffer. When attribute of theread-out print data is different from that of the existing print data, apredetermined discrimination mark is given to the read-out print datafor appropriate printing according to the corresponding attributeinformation. Elimination of this discrimination mark allows printing ofboth the read-out print data and the existing print data in the samestyles and modes.

A second embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter accordingto the drawings. A tape printing device 501 of the third embodiment isapplicable to tapes of five different widths, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm,and 24 mm like the first and the second embodiments. The appearance ofthe tape printing device 501 is similar to that of the first or thesecond embodiment.

(A) General Structure

FIG. 29 is a functional block diagram illustrating a general electricstructure of the tape printing device 501.

As shown in FIG. 29, the tape printing device 501 includes an input unit510, a control unit 520, and an output unit 530 as in the case of aconventional data processing apparatus. The control unit 520 executesrequired processing based on information from the input unit 510 andactivates the output unit 530 to display or print the results of theprocessing.

The input unit 510 includes a key input element 511 having a pluralityof press-down keys and dial keys (not shown in detail), and a tape widthdetection sensor 512. The key input element 511 generates character codedata and various control data sent to the control unit 520. The tapewidth detection sensor 512 detects the width of a tape T currently setin the tape printing device 501 and gives the tape width information tothe control unit 520. Each tape cartridge has a physical discriminationelement such as a plurality of holes for defining the width of the tapeT accommodated in the tape cartridge. The tape width detection sensor512 reads the physical discrimination element to output the tape widthinformation. Details of this processing are similar to those of thefirst embodiment and thereby not described here.

In the tape printing device 501 of the third embodiment, the key inputelement 511 has a variety of margin setting keys for specifying left andright margins arranged before and after a series of characters printedon the tape T. These margin setting keys may have other functions and berealized as complex-functional keys. The tape width information detectedby the tape width detection sensor 512 is utilized as one determiningfactor for determining the left and right margins.

The output unit 530 consists of a printing structure and a displaystructure. For example, a tape and ribbon feeding motor 531 constitutedas a stepping motor feeds a tape (not shown) and an ink ribbon (notshown) to a predetermined printing position or out of the tape printingdevice 501. A thermal head 532 is fixed to implement thermal transferprinting onto a running tape. When the thermal head 532 has ninety sixthermal resistance elements (hereinafter referred to as dot elements)arranged in a column, a maximum of 96 dots may be printed at once. Thetape and ribbon feeding motor 531 and the thermal head 532 arerespectively driven by a motor driving circuit 533 and a head drivingcircuit 534 under control of the control unit 520. Desirable margins maybe set in each label by controlling a tape feeding amount by the tapeand ribbon feeding motor 531 and a printing timing of a front cut markby the thermal head 532 as described later. A cutter (not shown)manually operated by the user or driven by the motor is used for cuttingthe tape at a desirable position. The cutter is naturally disposed apredetermined space apart from the thermal head 532 because of theirphysical dimensions. The predetermined space (for example, 8 mm) istaken into account when the margins are set on the tape.

The output unit 530 of the tape printing device 501 further includes aliquid-crystal display 535 which shows several characters of a minimumfont on a plurality of lines. The liquid-crystal display 535 is drivenby a display driving circuit 536 under control of the control unit 520.During a margin length setting process, an image including marginscurrently set is displayed on the liquid-crystal display 535.

The control unit 520, for example, realized as a micro-computer,includes a CPU 521, a ROM 522, a RAM 523, a character generator ROM(CG-ROM) 524, an input interface element 525, and an output interfaceelement 526, which are connected to one another via a system bus 527.

The ROM 522 stores a variety of processing programs and fixed data suchas dictionary data used for conversion of Japanese alphabets intoChinese characters. For example, the ROM 522 stores a print formatsetting program 522a including a margin length setting process and aprinting program 522b including a margin setting process. The ROM 522further stores a default value 522c of a print format including marginlengths (described later) as well as a margin conversion table 522d usedfor converting relative margin lengths to absolute values.

The RAM 523 used as a working memory stores fixed data obtained throughinput operation by the user. The RAM 523 includes a print format area523a for storing a print format including margin lengths, a printingbuffer 523b for expanding a series of printing characters to dots andstoring the dots, a display buffer 523c for storing an image displayedfor setting margin lengths, a text area 523d for storing character data,and a previous right margin buffer 523e for storing a right marginlength in previous printing.

The CG-ROM 524 stores a dot pattern of characters and symbols in thetape printing device 501, and outputs the dot pattern when receivingcode data specifying certain characters and symbols. The control unit520 may include two CG-ROMs, one for display and the other for printing.

The input interface element 525 functions as an interface between theinput unit 510 and the control unit 520 while the output interfaceelement 526 works as an interface between the control unit 520 and theoutput unit 530.

The CPU 521 executes a required processing program stored in the ROM 522based on input signals from the input unit 510 while using the RAM 523as a working area and reading the fixed data stored in the ROM 522 andthe RAM 523 according to the requirement. The CPU 521 then activates theoutput unit 530 to display processing conditions or results on theliquid-crystal display 535 or to print the same on a tape.

(B) Concept of `Paragraph`

A concept of `paragraph` is explained according to FIG. 30. Theparagraph denotes a unit for defining a configuration of characters on alabel (a piece of tape cut at a predetermined position) and consists ofone or more printing lines (4 lines at the maximum in the embodiment)printed in one column on the label. A label design is determined ascollection of paragraphs along a length of the label.

Unlike the concept of a conventional `Page`, insertion or elimination ofcharacters and increase or decrease in the line number in each paragraphdo not affect another paragraph at all. Character information in acertain paragraph is thus not moved to another paragraph in printing.

FIG. 30 shows an example of a print on a label, which consists of threeparagraphs. A first paragraph includes characters of a smaller sizeprinted horizontally in two lines, a second paragraph includescharacters of a larger size printed vertically in one line, and a thirdparagraph includes characters of a largest size printed horizontally inone line.

In the embodiment, attribute information of each paragraph (hereinafterreferred to as style) includes `Vertical/Horizontal` data, `Size` data,and `Ornament` data as shown in FIG. 31. The `Vertical/Horizontal` datadetermines whether characters in each paragraph are printed verticallyor horizontally. This prevents horizontal printing and vertical printingfrom being mixed in one paragraph. The `Size` data first shows whetherthe number of lines in each paragraph and the character size in eachline are determined in `Auto` setting or manual setting. In the manualsetting, the `Size` data shows the number of lines and a combination ofrelative character sizes of the lines to ensure adequate printing. The`Ornament` data defines no ornament, a keyline box, or a combination ofa keyline box and screen in each paragraph.

Introduction of such paragraphs require printing and data inputprocesses different from those of the conventional printing device.

(C) Paragraph-related Processing in Response to Power-ON Operation

When the power switch of the tape printing device 501 is turned ON, avariety of processes are executed. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing aparagraph-related process routine executed at the time of cold start.

When the power is ON for cold start, the CPU 521 checks whether aparagraph style is stored in a paragraph style memory buffer of the RAM523 at step 600. The paragraph style stored in paragraph style memory ishereinafter called as registered paragraph style. When the answer isYES, the program goes to step 601 at which the paragraph style isregistered as a specific paragraph style for a first paragraph in thevacant text area 523d of the RAM 523. At step 602, a character inputimage is displayed according to the specific paragraph style on theliquid-crystal display 535. When no paragraph style is stored in theparagraph style memory buffer, on the other hand, the program goes tostep 603 at which a default value of a paragraph style stored in the ROM522 is transferred to the paragraph style memory buffer, and then goesto step 601.

When the power is ON for hot start, a character input image is displayedon the liquid-crystal display 535 according to a paragraph style storedin the text area 523d of the RAM 523 immediately before a power-OFFoperation.

Since the liquid-crystal display 535 of the embodiment has a size of sixcharacters by two lines, all lines in one paragraph may not be displayedsimultaneously. Each line of a certain paragraph in text data therebyhas a line head mark representing a start or head of the line and a linenumber (for example, first line or second line) in the certainparagraph. Each row of characters in a front portion of one linedisplayed on the liquid-crystal display 535 has a head line mark 540 asshown in FIG. 33. There are two types of the line head mark 540; one foreffective lines having some characters and the other for non-effectivelines having no character.

The paragraph style is not specified but automatically set for the firstparagraph through the process routine executed at the time of power ONas described above.

(D) Modification of Paragraph Style and Deletion of Paragraph

The user can arbitrarily modify the paragraph style for each paragraphwith the aid of cursor positioning and operation of the key inputelement 511.

When the user moves the cursor to a target paragraph for modificationand instructs modification of the paragraph style, the CPU 521 starts aparagraph style modification program stored in the ROM 522 as shown inthe flowchart of FIG. 34. At step 610, the CPU 521 reads an existingparagraph style for the target paragraph set in the text area 523d andtransfers the paragraph style to a style input buffer. The program thenproceeds to step 611 at which the cursor is positioned on an attributetitle `Vertical/Horizontal` displayed with previous vertical orhorizontal setting as a preferential choice. At step 612, the CPU 521identifies a key operated. When one of cursor keys is operated, theprogram proceeds to step 613 at which the cursor is moved to displayanother attribute title with possible choices, and then returns to step612 for identification of a next key operated. When the `Select` key isoperated at step 612, the program enters a process routine according tothe attribute title with the cursor positioned thereon as shown in theflowcharts of FIGS. 35 through 39.

When the `Select` key is pressed while the cursor is on the attributetitle `Vertical/Horizontal`, the CPU 521 starts a process routine shownin the flowchart of FIG. 35. The CPU 521 moves the cursor to thepreferential choice at step 620 and then determines whether the `Select`key or one of the cursor keys is operated at step 621. When the cursorkey is operated, the program goes to step 622 at which vertical orhorizontal setting displayed as the preferential choice is changed tothe other choice, and then returns to the decision point 621. When the`Select` key is operated, the program proceeds to step 623 at whichvertical or horizontal setting displayed as the preferential choice isset as data of the attribute title `Vertical/Horizontal`. After thecursor is moved to display another attribute title `Size` and a subtitle(Auto, 1 Line, 2 Line, 3 Line, or 4 Line) representing a previousparagraph size as a preferential choice at step 624, the program returnsto step 612 in the flowchart of FIG. 34.

When the `Select` key is pressed while the cursor is on the attributetitle `Size`, the CPU 521 starts a process routine shown in theflowchart of FIG. 36. After the cursor is moved to the preferentialchoice at step 630, the CPU 521 determines possible choices of thesubtitles (Auto, 1 Line, 2 Line, 3 Line, and 4 Line) at step 631. Theprogram then goes to step 632 at which the CPU 521 determines whetherthe `Select` key or one of the cursor keys is operated. When the cursorkey is operated, the program goes to step 633 at which the cursor ismoved to another possible choice of the subtitles, and then returns tostep 632 for identifying a next key operated.

Possible choices denote subtitles each representing a number of linesnot less than n determined as below. When n is equal to 1 or 2, thesubtitle `Auto` is one of the possible choices.

n=(number of lines in a paragraph the cursor is positioned)--(number ofvacant lines in the paragraph)

This ensures that at least one substantial line with print data existseven after modification of the paragraph style. The possible choice thusrepresents the number of lines equal to or greater than the number ofexisting substantial lines.

When the `Select` key is operated while the cursor is positioned on acertain subtitle, the program goes to step 634 at which the certainsubtitle is set as a determined value. At step 635, the CPU 521determines whether the certain subtitle set at step 634 is `Auto`. Whenthe certain subtitle is other than `Auto`, the program goes to step 636at which one of possible character size combinations corresponding tothe number of lines set at step 634 is graphically displayed as apreferential choice with the aid of the cursor position. At step 637, itis determined whether the `Select` key or one of the cursor keys isoperated. When the cursor key is operated, the program goes to step 638at which the cursor is moved to another possible character sizecombination, and then returns to step 637 to identify a next keyoperated. When the `Select` key is operated at step 637, the programgoes to step 639 at which the possible character size combinationdisplayed as the preferential choice is set as determined data. Afterthe character size combination is determined at step 639 or when thesubtitle `Auto` is selected, the program goes to step 640 at which thecursor is moved to display another attribute title `Ornament` with oneof possible choices (No ornament, Keyline box, and Keyline box+Screen)representing previous ornamental information as a preferential choice.The program then returns to step 612 in the flowchart of FIG. 34.

In this embodiment, the number of lines in `Auto` size setting isdetermined according to input by the user and is set equal to one or twoto allow printing on a tape of any width. The user can utilize this`Auto` size setting according to the requirements, which makes the userfree from specifying the number of lines and the character sizecombination.

In this embodiment, character size combinations corresponding to thepredetermined number of lines are shown as relative values. When acertain paragraph is set to contain three lines, five options are shownas possible combinations; `same character size x3`, `small, small,large`, `small, large, large`, `large, small, small`, and `large, large,small`. This allows the simple procedure of specifying the charactersizes without taking account of the tape width.

Each relative character size combination is shown as a graphic displayincluding a plurality of lines each having a thickness corresponding tothe relative character size. This allows the user to specify thedesirable character size combination according to a printing image shownby the graphic display.

FIG. 40 shows examples of graphic images representing character sizecombinations; `small, large` combination in two lines, `large, small`combination in two lines, identical size combination in four lines, and`small, small, small, large` combination in four lines. Each graphicdisplay has an identification code for convenience of the telephoneinformation service for the user.

When the `Select` key is pressed while the cursor is on the attributetitle `Ornament`, the CPU 521 starts a process routine shown in theflowchart of FIG. 37. The CPU 521 moves the cursor to the preferentialchoice at step 645 and then determines whether the `Select` key or oneof the cursor keys is operated at step 646. When the cursor key isoperated, the program goes to step 647 at which the cursor is moved todisplay another choice (No ornament, Keyline box, or Keyline box+Screen)as a new preferential choice, and then returns to the decision point646. When the `Select` key is operated at step 646, the program proceedsto step 648 at which the preferential choice is set as determined data.After the cursor is moved to a title `End of Paragraph Specification` atstep 649, the program returns to step 612 in the flowchart of FIG. 34.

In this embodiment, prepared choices of ornamental setting does notinclude `Screen only`. The tape applied to the tape printing device hasa variety of colors, where the difference between the background color(tape color) and character colors may not be sufficiently large todistinctively show the screening effect. A label (final piece of tapecut at a predetermined position) created by the tape printing device isgenerally observed from a certain distance unlike an output of aword-processor. Because of the above reasons, screening is alwayscombined with a keyline box in the embodiment.

When the `Select` key is operated while the cursor is on the title `Endof Paragraph Specification`, the CPU 521 starts a process routine shownin the flowchart of FIG. 38. The CPU 521 first stores a paragraph styleregistered in the style input buffer into a style area corresponding tothe text area 523d containing a target paragraph for modification atstep 650. The program then goes to step 651 at which a character inputimage with a modified paragraph structure is displayed. This completesmodification of the paragraph style and makes the tape printing device501 wait for input of next character data.

When the `Select` key is pressed while the cursor is on a title`Paragraph Delete`, the CPU 521 starts a process routine shown in theflowchart of FIG. 39. At step 660, the CPU 521 erases the paragraphstyle stored in the style input buffer. The program then goes to step661 at which it is determined whether the cursor is positioned on a linehead of a first line in a first paragraph when modification of theparagraph style is instructed. When the cursor is positioned in a secondor subsequent paragraph, the program proceeds to step 662 at which allinformation (text data and paragraph style information) for theparagraph stored in the text area 523d is eliminated, and then goes tostep 663 to display a character input image. This completes modificationof the paragraph style and makes the tape printing device 501 wait forinput of next character data. When the cursor is determined to be on theline head of the first line in the first paragraph at step 661, theprogram goes to step 664 at which all text data and correspondingparagraph style information in the text area 523d are eliminated. Atstep 665, the paragraph style previously registered in the paragraphstyle memory buffer is read out and set as the paragraph style of avacant first paragraph with no character data, and a character inputimage is displayed. This also completes modification of the paragraphstyle and makes the tape printing device 501 wait for input of nextcharacter data.

In the above embodiment, all paragraphs are deleted when the cursor islocated at the line head mark of the first line of the first paragraph.Alternatively, there may be another command `All Paragraphs Delete`distinct from the command `Paragraph Delete`. In such a case, only thefirst paragraph is deletes in response to operation of the `ParagraphDelete` key even won the line head positioned on the line head of thefirst line of the first paragraph.

In this embodiment, deletion of an arbitrary paragraph or all paragraphsis performed only according to the above process routine. The structureof the second embodiment allows simple modification of the style of eachparagraph or deletion of one or all existing paragraphs.

(E) Start of New Paragraph

The user can arbitrarily instruct to start a new paragraph throughoperation of the key input element 511 in input or editing of text data.When start of a new paragraph is instructed, a paragraph style is readout and set for the new paragraph. This procedure is essentially similarto the processing for modification of the paragraph style describedabove except some difference, which is described below.

1. Possible Choices in Attribute Title `Size`

A new paragraph may include one or a plurality of substantial lines withcharacter data according to the cursor position where start of the newparagraph is instructed (described later). Possible choices of subtitlesin the attribute title `Size` include line numbers equal to or greaterthan a number of the substantial lines with character data in the newparagraph.

2. Restoration to Character Input Mode and Division of Text Data

When a `New Paragraph` key is pressed, new paragraph type information isset (details of this procedure are omitted) according to the cursorposition, that is, on a line head of a first line in a first paragraph,in the middle of a paragraph, or on an end of a last line of a lastparagraph.

After the paragraph style is set for the new paragraph, the CPU 521restores the tape printing device 501 to the character input mode andexecutes a process for dividing text data in a certain paragraph wherethe cursor is positioned when the `New Paragraph` key is operated, intotwo paragraphs, that is, the certain paragraph and a new paragraph,according to the new paragraph type information.

When the new paragraph type information represents the cursor positionon the line head of a first line of a first paragraph, the CPU 521starts a process routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 41. At step 670,it is determined whether at least a second paragraph exists when the`New Paragraph` key is pressed. When at least a second paragraph exists,the program goes to step 671 at which each paragraph number n (n=2,3, .. . ) is changed to n+1 while the style and text data in the paragraphremains; for example, a second paragraph to a new third paragraph, athird paragraph to a new fourth paragraph. After execution of step 671or when no second paragraph exists, the program goes to step 672 atwhich a default style is written in a second paragraph section of thetext area 523d, that is, the first paragraph is set as a new secondparagraph. After a new paragraph with vacant lines is set as a new firstparagraph at step 673, a last line in the new first paragraph and afirst line in the new second paragraph are displayed as a characterinput image at step 674.

FIG. 44A shows change in the character input image when the `NewParagraph` key is operated while the cursor is on the line head of thefirst line of the first paragraph as described above. In anotherapplication, when the cursor is located at the line head mark, aparagraph consisting of vacant lines is newly generated unconditionallyshift existing paragraphs are respectively shifted by one.

When the new paragraph type information represents the cursor positionin the middle of a paragraph, the CPU 521 starts a process routine shownin the flowchart of FIG. 42. At step 680, it is determined whether atleast one subsequent paragraph exists after a certain paragraph (n)where the cursor is positioned. When one or a plurality of subsequentparagraphs exist, the program goes to step 681 at which the paragraphnumber of each subsequent paragraph is incremented by one while thestyle and text data in each subsequent paragraph remains; for example, athird paragraph to a new fourth paragraph. After execution of step 681or when no subsequent paragraph exists at step 680, the program goes tostep 682 at which the default style is written in a new paragraphsection of the text area 523d, and text data after the cursor positionin the paragraph (n) is input into a new paragraph (n+1). The rest ofthe text data in the paragraph (n), that is, those before the cursorposition remains in the paragraph (n) at step 683. The paragraph (n)thus contains the text data before the cursor position as well as vacantspace and lines with no text data after the cursor position. At step684, a last line of the certain paragraph (n) where the cursor ispositioned and a first line of the new paragraph (n+1) are displayed asa character input image. In this manner, the user can divide text dataof one paragraph at any desirable position to make two paragraphs.

FIG. 44B shows change in the character input image when the `NewParagraph` key is operated while the cursor is in the middle of acertain paragraph as described above. The lower drawing of FIG. 44Bshows the character input image displayed at step 684, which includes afourth line (last line) of a certain paragraph where the cursor ispositioned and a first line of a new paragraph.

When the new paragraph type information represents the cursor positionon the end of a last line in a last paragraph, the CPU 521 starts aprocess routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 43. At step 690, a newparagraph with vacant lines is set as a new last paragraph. The programthen goes to step 691 at which the style of the new last paragraph iswritten in the corresponding section of the text area 523d. The CPU 521then displays a last line of a former last paragraph and a first line ofa new last paragraph as a character input image at step 692.

FIG. 44C shows change in the character input image when the `NewParagraph` key is operated while the cursor is at the end of a last lineof a last paragraph as described above. The lower drawing of FIG. 44Cshows the character input image displayed at step 692, which includes afourth line (last line) of a former last paragraph and a first line of anew last paragraph.

When a paragraph deleting operation is instructed under such a conditionthat a style of a new paragraph is read out and set, the CPU 521restores the state when the `New Paragraph` key is operated (details ofthis procedure are omitted).

(F) Modification of Paragraph Style When No Text Data Exists

When modification of the paragraph style is instructed while no textdata exists, a registered paragraph style is modified in a similarmanner to the process for modifying the style of each paragraphdescribed above, except some difference (details of this procedure areomitted).

The difference includes that a modified paragraph style is stored in theparagraph style memory buffer, that the modified paragraph style is setas a style of a first paragraph with no. text data, that all subtitlesof the attribute title `Size` are set as possible choices, and that theuser may optionally set a registered paragraph style as a default valueinstead of executing paragraph deletion.

(G) Operation of Compulsory Return Key

The number of lines in a paragraph can not be changed through operationof a `Compulsory Return (CR)` key, but is changed according to theprocessing for the new paragraph or modification of the paragraph styledescribed above. Namely, a process executed by a press of the `CR` keydoes not change the number of lines in a paragraph as shown in theflowchart of FIG. 45. In the following explanation and the flowchart ofFIG. 45, a middle line means a line other than a last line and a middleparagraph denotes a paragraph other than a last paragraph.

In the flowchart of FIG. 45, the CPU 521 first detects the cursorposition at step 700. When the cursor is positioned on a last line of alast paragraph, the program goes to step 701 at which an alarm ofnon-valid information tells that the press of the `CR` key is ignored,and to step 702 to restore initial conditions before operation of the`CR` key.

When the cursor is positioned on an end of a middle line, the programgoes to step 703 at which the cursor is moved to a line head mark of anext line. When the cursor key is positioned on an end of a last line ofa middle paragraph, the program goes to step 704 at which the cursor ismoved to a line head mark of a first line of a next paragraph.

When the cursor is in the middle of a middle line where a next line isvacant with no text data, the program goes to step 705 at which a row ofcharacters before the cursor are kept in the middle line whereas asubsequent row of characters after the cursor are inserted into thevacant next line, and the cursor is moved to a line head of the nextline.

When the cursor is in the middle of a middle line where a next line issubstantial with text data, the program goes to step 706 at which a rowof characters before the cursor are kept in the middle line whereas asubsequent row of characters after the cursor are inserted before textdata in the substantial next line, and the cursor is moved to a linehead of the next line.

When the cursor is in the middle of a last line of a middle paragraphwhere a first line of a next paragraph is vacant with no text data, theprogram goes to step 707 at which a row of characters before the cursorare kept in the last line whereas a subsequent row of characters afterthe cursor are inserted into the vacant first line of the nextparagraph, and the cursor is moved to a line head of the first line ofthe next paragraph.

When the cursor is in the middle of a last line of a middle paragraphwhere a first line of a next paragraph is substantial with text data,the program goes to step 708 at which a row of characters before thecursor are kept in the last line whereas a subsequent row of charactersafter the cursor are inserted before text data in the substantial firstline of the next paragraph, and the cursor is moved to a line head ofthe first line of the next paragraph.

When the cursor is on a line head of a middle line which is vacant withno text data, the program goes to step 709 at which the cursor is movedto a line head mark of a next line.

When the cursor is on a line head of a last line of a middle paragraphwhere the last line is vacant with no text data, the program goes tostep 710 at which the cursor is positioned to a line head mark of afirst line of a next paragraph.

When the cursor is on a line head of a middle line which is substantialwith text data, the program goes to step 711 at which the middle line ismade vacant with no text data whereas a row of characters in the middleline are inserted before text data (if exists) in a next line, and thecursor is moved to a line head of a next line.

When the cursor is on a line head of a last line of a middle paragraphwhere the last line is substantial with text data, the program goes tostep 713 at which the last line is made vacant with no text data whereasa row of characters in the last line are inserted before text data (ifexists) in a first line of a next paragraph, and the cursor is moved toa line head of a first line of a next paragraph.

Under such a restriction that the number of lines in a paragraph is notchanged, a variety of processes are executed as described above. Thevariety of processes include creation of a vacant line, line divisionand line connection in one paragraph, and line division and lineconnection between two paragraphs.

(H) Line Deletion When Cursor is on Line Head Mark

In the conventional tape printing device, when line deletion isinstructed (when a `Delete` key is pressed) while the cursor is on aline head of a certain line, the certain line is deleted. In thestructure of the embodiment, on the other hand, the number of lines in aparagraph is not changed but maintained unless the paragraph style ismodified according to the procedure described above. Even when linedeletion is instructed while the cursor is on a line head mark of acertain line, the CPU 521 executes processing according to thisprinciple. A line deletion process executed by the CPU 521 of theembodiment is described according to the flowchart of FIG. 46. In thefollowing explanation and the flowchart of FIG. 46, a middle linedenotes a line other than a first line.

When the program enters the routine, the CPU 521 first detects thecursor position at step 720.

When the cursor is on a line head of a middle line which is substantialwith text data, the program goes to step 721 at which the middle line ismade vacant, and then to step 722 at which a row of characters in themiddle line are inserted after text data (if exists) of a previous line,and the cursor is moved to a character immediately before the row ofcharacters inserted.

When the cursor is on a line head of a middle line which is vacant withno text data, no line division or connection is executed between themiddle line and a previous line, and the program goes to step 723 atwhich the cursor is moved to a last character of a substantial previousline or to a line head of a vacant previous line.

When the cursor is on a line head of a first line which is substantialwith text data, the program goes to step 724 at which the first data ismade vacant, and then to step 725 at which a row of characters in thefirst paragraph are inserted after text data (if exists) of a last lineof a previous paragraph, and the cursor is moved to a characterimmediately before the row of characters inserted.

When the cursor is on a line head of a first line which is vacant withno text data, no line division or connection is executed between thefirst line and a last line of a previous paragraph, and the program goesto step 726 at which the cursor is moved to a last character of asubstantial last line of the previous paragraph or to a line head of avacant last line of the previous paragraph.

As described above, the structure of the embodiment effectively preventsthe number of lines from being changed even when the `Delete` key isoperated while the cursor is on a line head of a certain line.

(I) Specification of Character Mode

The user can arbitrarily specifies attribute information of eachcharacter including ornamental information (hereinafter referred to ascharacter mode).

FIG. 47 shows a typical example of the character mode, which includesattribute titles `Ornament`, `ROM`, and `Inter-Character`. The attributetitle `Ornament` has a variety of choices including `Smallest Size`,`Small Size`, `Standard Size` determined according to the number oflines in each paragraph, `Bold`, `Italic`, `Highlighted`, `Shade`, and`Highlighted+Shade`. The attribute title `ROM` determines whether anapplied font is in an internal ROM (CG-ROM) or in an external ROM. Theattribute title `Inter-Character` includes four choices of aninter-character pitch, that is, `Very narrow`, `Narrow`, `Standard`, and`Wide`.

The character mode is stored in a character mode memory bufferirrespective of character input. The character mode is in principleapplied to all characters on each line of a paragraph stored in the textarea 523d. The character mode is not shown in the liquid-crystal display535. The character mode data applied to the whole line is stored next toa line head mark in the text area 523d.

When another character mode is to be applied to a part of characters onone line, the user specifies a mode modification process and the CPU 521starts a mode modification process routine shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 48.

When the program enters the routine, the CPU 521 reads an existingcharacter mode for a target row of characters previously registered inthe text area 523d and transfers the character mode to a mode inputbuffer at step 740. The program then proceeds to step 741 at which thecursor is positioned on an attribute title `Ornament` displayed withprevious ornamental data as a preferential choice. At step 742, the CPU521 identifies a key operated. When one of cursor keys is operated, theprogram proceeds to step 743 at which the cursor is moved to displayanother attribute title with possible choices, and then returns to step742 for identification of a next key operated. When the `Select` key isoperated at step 742, the program enters a process routine according tothe attribute title with the cursor positioned thereon as shown in theflowcharts of FIGS. 49 through 52.

When the `Select` key is pressed while the cursor is on the attributetitle `Ornament`, the CPU 521 starts a process routine shown in theflowchart of FIG. 49. The CPU 521 moves the cursor to the preferentialchoice or displays the preferential choice at step 750 and thendetermines whether the `Select` key or one of the cursor keys isoperated at step 751. When the cursor key is operated, the program goesto step 752 at which the cursor is moved to display another option as anew preferential choice, and then returns to the decision point 751.When the `Select` key is operated at step 751, the program proceeds tostep 753 at which the preferential choice is set as determinedornamental data. The CPU 521 then determines whether an external ROM isattached to the tape printing device 501, that is, whether a second fontexists, at step 754, when the external ROM is attached, the program goesto step 755 at which the cursor is moved to display another attributetitle `ROM` with previous ROM selection as a preferential choice. Theprogram then returns to step 742 in the flowchart of FIG. 48. When theexternal ROM does not exist, on the other hand, the program goes to step756 at which the cursor is moved to display another attribute title`Inter-Character` with previous inter-character information as apreferential choice. The program then returns to step 742 in theflowchart of FIG. 48.

When the `Select` key is pressed while the cursor is on the attributetitle `ROM`, the CPU 521 starts a process routine shown in the flowchartof FIG. 50. The CPU 521 moves the cursor to the preferential choice ordisplays the preferential choice at step 760 and then determines whetherthe `Select` key or one of the cursor keys is operated at step 761. Whenthe cursor key is operated, the program goes to step 762 at which thecursor is moved to display another option as a new preferential choice,and then returns to the decision point 761. When the `Select` key isoperated at step 761, the program proceeds to step 763 at which thepreferential choice is set as determined ROM selection. The program thengoes to step 764 at which the cursor is moved to display anotherattribute title `Inter-Character` with previous inter-characterinformation as a preferential choice, and returns to step 742 in theflowchart of FIG. 48.

When the `Select` key is pressed while the cursor is on the attributetitle `Inter-Character`, the CPU 521 starts a process routine shown inthe flowchart of FIG. 51. The CPU 521 moves the cursor to thepreferential choice or displays the preferential choice at step 770 andthen determines whether the `Select` key or one of the cursor keys isoperated at step 771. When the cursor key is operated, the program goesto step 772 at which the cursor is moved to display another option as anew preferential choice, and then returns to the decision point 771.When the `Select` key is operated at step 771, the program proceeds tostep 773 at which the preferential choice is set as determinedinter-character information. The program then goes to step 774 at whichthe cursor is moved to display a title `End of Character ModeModification`, and returns to step 742 in the flowchart of FIG. 48.

When the `Select` key is operated while the cursor is on the title `Endof Character Mode Modification`, the CPU 521 starts a process routineshown in the flowchart of FIG. 52. The CPU 521 first assigns a charactermode registered in the mode input buffer to the target row of charactersin the text area 523d at step 780. The program then goes to step 781 atwhich the CPU 521 displays a character input image with a mode markplaced immediately after a character where the cursor is positionedbefore instruction of the character mode modification process and waitsfor input of next character data. In this embodiment, the mode mark isdisplayed as a triangle character.

The character mode thus modified is applied to the target row ofcharacters after the mode mark in a certain line until a next mode markappears in the certain line. When a new character mode is identical withan old character mode applied to a character immediately before thetarget row of characters, the mode mark is not inserted (this procedureis omitted in the flowchart of FIG. 52).

The user may prefer substantially the same printing lengths on aplurality of lines in one paragraph. This requirement is implementedthrough the character mode modification process for changing theinter-character pitch or the character size.

The attribute title `Ornament` includes only the character sizes smallerthan the standard size determined according to the paragraph style.Larger character sizes are omitted from options since they may causeoverlapping of characters or the insufficient tape width.

(J) Processing of Second Line in `Auto` Setting of `Size` AttributeInformation

When the attribute title `Size` of the paragraph style is set in `Auto`,the number of lines is set equal to one or two according to keyoperation, for example, press of the `CR` key. In this embodiment, evenwhen a second line is a non-effective line, a line head mark of thesecond line is displayed on the liquid-crystal display 535. Effectivelines include both substantial and vacant lines which a number of dotscorresponding to the character size are allocated to in printing. Whenthe same line head mark is used for both effective lines andnon-effective lines, the user can not identify whether the second lineis non-effective or effective. When the second line is non-effective,the line head mark of the second line is highlighted in a different wayas shown in FIGS. 53A and 53B. FIG. 53A shows a line head mark for aneffective line displayed as a highlighted numeral, and FIG. 53B shows aline head mark for a non-effective line displayed as a black numeralwith a frame box.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing a second line process routine in theabove `Auto` setting. This process routine is incorporated as one stepin a variety of processing programs described above although beingomitted from the flowcharts and the corresponding description above.

When a key, for example, the `CR` key or the `New Paragraph` key, isoperated for processing a specific paragraph with the `Auto` sizesetting or a paragraph before or after the specific paragraph, theprogram exits from a main routine and enters the process routine of FIG.54 in the middle of or after completion of the processing. At step 790,it is determined whether the second line is changed from an effectiveline to a non-effective line or vice versa. When no change is detected,the program goes back to the main routine. When a change is detected,the program proceeds to step 791 at which display of the line head markfor the second line in the text area 523d is inverted.

(K) Printing Process

FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing a printing process. The user can printtext data stored in the text area 523d at any desirable time.

When a `Print` key is pressed, the CPU 521 reads out tape widthinformation corresponding to a tape width of a tape cartridge set in thetape printing device 501 at step 800. The CPU 521 then converts relativevalues in a paragraph style and a character mode previously determinedand set to absolute values by referring to a relative values-absolutevalues conversion table, and determines whether it is possible to printtext data according to the paragraph style and the character mode withinthe tape width at step 801. When printing is determined to beimpossible, the program goes to step 802 at which an alarm informs theuser of impossible printing, and to step 803 at which the tape printingdevice 501 is restored to the original state before the printinginstruction. When printing is determined to be possible at step 801, onthe other hand, the program goes to step 804 at which the CPU 521expands text data stored in the text area 523d to a dot pattern in theprinting buffer 523b according to the absolute values of the paragraphstyle and the character mode. After the CPU 521 executes actual printingof the text data on the tape at step 805, the tape printing device 501is restored to the original state before the printing instruction atstep 806. In the dot expansion process at step 804, a plurality ofparagraphs are arranged in series along a predetermined length of thetape.

This dot or pixel expansion process is executed by taking account oflabel attribute information (for example, the length of a label andright and left margins) and character attribute (for example, slant orhighlighted) as well as paragraph attribute information (paragraphstyle).

The CPU 521 may directly receive the tape width information from thetape width detection sensor 512 at the beginning of this printingprocess, or alternatively may read tape printing information out of theRAM 523, which is input from the tape width detection sensor 512 andstored in the RAM 523 when the tape cartridge is set in the tapeprinting device 501.

FIG. 56 shows an example of the relative values-absolute valuesconversion table used for three-line printing (subtitle `3 Line` inattribute title `Size`) and stored in the ROM 522. The CPU 521 convertsa combination of relative character sizes of the three lines in eachparagraph to the absolute character sizes according to this table.

In this example, a 6-mm tape or a 9-mm tape are not applicable toprinting. When a 12-mm tape is set in the tape printing device 501 and`small, small, large` without keylines is determined as the paragraphstyle, the absolute character size is 16×16 dots for the first andsecond lines and 32×32 dots for the third line. The absolutevalues-relative values conversion table also defines line spacinginformation including upper and bottom margins and inter-line spaces(not shown in FIG. 56). Such line spacing information is, however, notgiven to the user during specification of the paragraph style.

Alternatively, a number of dots obtained by subtracting a required dotnumber for character printing from a total dot number along the tapewidth may be allocated to the upper and bottom margins and inter-linespaces according to a predetermined rule in relative-absoluteconversion. When the subtitle `Auto` is selected as the `Size` attributeinformation, a fixed conversion method for the subtitle `1 Line` isapplied to one-line printing in `Auto` and the same for the subtitle `2Line` to two-line printing in `Auto`.

FIG. 57 shows another example of the relative values-absolute valuesconversion table, which is applied to the relative character sizes setin the attribute information `Ornament` of the character mode. Forexample, when a basic character size is set equal to 32×32 dots, thecharacter size applied is 32×32 dots for `Standard Size`, 24×24 dots for`Small Size`, and 16×16 dots for `Smallest Size`. The `Standard Size` or`Small Size` may not be applicable according to the basic charactersize.

As described above, the concept of `paragraph` is introduced in thisembodiment. The paragraph includes one or a plurality of lines printedin one column on the tape and defines an arrangement of text data on alabel. Each paragraph has attribute information, which is previously setand fixed unless modification of the paragraph style is instructed. Textdata are input and printed according to a predetermined paragraph stylerepresenting the attribute information. This allows the user to obtain alabel with text data printed thereon in a desirable arrangement.

In this embodiment, a press of the `Compulsory Return (CR)` key does notincrease the number of lines previously set in each paragraph norsubstantially delete a row of characters, thus not changing theparagraph attribute information. This ensures that the paragraphattribute information is modified only by the above setting ormodification process, and not changed against intention of the user.

When the user instructs deletion of a certain line in a paragraph, thatis, deletion of the line head mark, the tape printing device 501 of theembodiment keeps the certain line as a vacant line not to change thepredetermined number of lines of the paragraph, thus allowing desirablelabel printing according to the predetermined paragraph attributeinformation.

When a target paragraph for setting or modification of the paragraphstyle has at least one substantial line with text data, the possiblechoice of the `Size` attribute information is the number of lines equalto or greater than the number of the substantial lines. This effectivelyprevents the substantial lines from being erased in setting ormodification of the paragraph style. The user is thus not required toinput the same row of characters again.

The tape printing device 501 stores character size information forone-line paragraphs and combination of character size and line spacinginformation for plural-line paragraphs as a menu. The user can readilyspecify the character size by selecting a desirable character sizeattribute among choices of the menu.

The menu contains information not as absolute values but as relativevalues, where the relative values are converted to absolute valuesaccording to the width of the tape set in the tape printing device 501.This simplifies the selection procedure.

The system of the embodiment displays each relative character sizecombination in graphics, this further simplifying the selectionprocedure. The menu includes plural choices of relative character sizecombinations, that is, plural layout choices, for each number of lines.The user can select a desirable layout among the plural choices.

In the structure of the embodiment, the user specifies the charactersize attribute as relative values, which are converted to absolutevalues according to the tape width in the printing process. Thiseffectively prevents printing out of the tape width, which is sometimesfound in the conventional printing device to cause stains on a label orchange the diameter of the platen due to ink applied on the platen.

When substantially the same lengths of lines are preferable in oneparagraph, the size of each character may be specified. In this case,however, the possible choices of the character size are those notgreater than a specific character size previously determined for thelines. This allows appropriate printing even after change in thecharacter size.

The attribute title `Size` includes a subtitle `Auto` as a possiblechoice, wherein the paragraph attribute is determined according to thetape width and input text data. In this `Auto` setting, the user is notrequired to specify details of attribute information for each paragraph.

In the `Auto` setting, the user can distinctively distinguish effectivevacant lines from non-effective vacant lines which are virtuallydisplayed but do not exist substantially.

The character size attribute information may be set as absolute valuesinstead of relative values in the embodiment. Although the menu has toinclude a greater number of character size combinations such absolutevalue specification, the printing process is simplified.

Although relative values of the character size attribute are convertedto absolute values according to the conversion table in the embodiment,conversion may be implemented according to a predetermined operation.For example, when the maximum dot number along the tape width (12-mmtape) is 72 dots and three-line printing of `large, small, small` isspecified, a dot number x for the relative size `large` satisfies therelationship expressed as [x+0.5x+0.5x= or <72] and is the maximum amongprepared character sizes. When the prepared character sizes include16×16 dots, 24×24 dots, 32×32 dots, and 48×48 dots, x is equal to 32.The relative size `large` is thus equal to 32×32 dots whereas `small` isequal to 16×16 dots. The reining dots, that is, 72-64=8 dots, areallocated to the upper and bottom margins and the inter-line spaces.

The structure of the second embodiment may be changed or modified in anyother way: for example, the maximum number of printing lines is setequal to five or greater; tape cartridges of six or more different tapewidths are applicable to the tape printing device; the liquid-crystaldisplay 535 has a large screen to display a plurality of choices in themenu simultaneously, paragraph attribute information does not include`Ornament` data, and the inter-paragraph spaces along a predeterminedlength of the tape are specified as attribute data.

A third embodiment of the invention is described according to thedrawings.

(A) Hardware Structure

FIG. 58 shows general appearance of a tape printing device of the thirdembodiment, which has an electric structure similar to that of thesecond embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 58, a tape 812 mounted on a tape cartridge holder unit811 is cut at an arbitrary position to a label through operation of acut lever 813. The user can input a desirable series of characters byoperating a dial key 814 and specify required information or instruct avariety of processes through operation of a keyboard 815 which includesa character size key, an inter-character space key, a line spacing key,a margin key, a scroll key, a printing image display key, and a printkey. Text data consisting of a series of characters or a printing imageof the text data is displayed in a black and white liquid-crystaldisplay 535.

Operation of the tape printing device of the third embodiment aredescribed briefly.

When the user operates the dial key 814, a CPU 521 receives code datacorresponding to an input character from a key input element 511, andreads pattern data corresponding to the code data out of a CG-ROM 524 towrite the pattern data in a text display buffer R3 of a RAM 523 shown inFIG. 59. The pattern data written in the text display buffer R3 is readout synchronously with display operation and supplied to a displaydriving circuit 536. The input character is then displayed on the screenof the liquid-crystal display 535. When the user checks the inputcharacter displayed on the screen and presses a `Registration` key, theCPU 521 writes the code data in an input buffer R1 of the RAM 523 (seeFIG. 59). A series of characters constituting a desirable text aresuccessively input and displayed in the above manner.

While text data are input with the dial key 814, the character size, theinter-character spacing, the line spacing, the margins, and otherrequired information are specified through operation of the keyboard815. The CPU 521 then writes attribute data such as the character sizeand the inter-character spacing output from the key input element 511into the input buffer R1 of the RAM 523.

When the user operates the `Printing Image Display` key after input oftext data, the CPU 521 expands pattern data for displaying a printingimage in a printing image display buffer R2 of the RAM 523 (details ofthis process will be described later).

The pattern data expanded in the printing image display buffer R3 isread out synchronously with display operation and supplied to thedisplay driving circuit 536. The printing image of text data is thendisplayed on the screen of the liquid-crystal display 535.

When the user checks the printing image and operates the `Print` key,the CPU 521 reads pattern data for printing a text out of the CG-ROM 524according to registration in the input buffer R1 and writes the patterndata into a printing buffer R2 of the RAM 523.

The pattern data written in the printing buffer R2 is read outsynchronously with tape feeding operation and supplied to a head drivingcircuit 534. The text is then printed on the tape 812.

The user finally cuts the tape 812 with the text printed thereon at apredetermined position to a label.

Display of the printing image is described more in detail. When thecharacter size, the line spacing, and other attribute information can bespecified irrespective of the width of the tape 812 set in the tapeprinting device, it is preferable to show a printing image having textdata within the tape width and that having text data partly out of thetape width. When text data can be input whether the tape 812 is set inthe printing device or not, it is preferable to show a printing imageunder a condition that the tape 812 is set in the device and that undera condition without the tape 812. In this embodiment, these threeprinting images are thereby displayed.

FIG. 60 shows a printing image where a text is within a predeterminedtape width, FIG. 61 shows a printing image where the text is partly outof the predetermined tape width, and FIG. 62 shows a printing image ofthe text under a condition that the tape 812 is not set in the tapeprinting device. An example of such a text is shown in FIG. 63. In thedrawings, the numerals 851, 852, and 853 respectively show a background,a label, and a series of characters (A, B, . . . ) of the text.

When the whole text is within the predetermined tape width as in theexample of FIG. 60, the label is shown in a specific color differentfrom that of the background. For example, the background is displayed inwhite whereas the label is shown in black. Each character display 853 ofthe text is shown in a certain color, for example, in white, as a squareblock having a size corresponding to the specified character size.

When the text is partly out of the predetermined tape width as in theexample of FIG. 61, the characters display 853 of the text are displayedin a different way whereas the background display 851 and the labeldisplay 852 are shown in the same way as in the example of FIG. 60. Aportion `a` of each character display 853 placed within the labeldisplay 852 is shown in white while another portion `b` out of the labeldisplay 852 is displayed in black.

When no tape 812 is set in the tape printing device as in the example ofFIG. 62, the label display 852 is not displayed whereas all thecharacters display 853 are shown in black. This means that all thecharacters display 853 are out of the tape width.

A process routine for displaying these three printing images executed bythe CPU 521 is described hereinafter according to the flowchart of FIG.64.

When the user presses the `Printing Image Display` key, the programenters the routine and the CPU 521 determines whether the tape 812 isset in the tape printing device based on an output from the tape widthdetection sensor 512 at step 901. When the tape width detected by thetape width detection sensor 512 output zero signal, the CPU 521determines that no tape 812 is set in the device. When the tape widthdetection sensor 512 output non-zero signal, on the contrary, the CPU521 determines that the tape 812 is set in the device.

In the latter case, the program goes to step 902 at which the CPU 521determines whether a text is within a predetermined width of the labeldisplay 852 based on an output from the tape width detection sensor 512and character size data and line spacing data stored in the input bufferR1 of the RAM 523 at step 902. In the example of FIG. 63, when S1+S2+L(S1: size specified for the characters A, B, . . . ; S2: size specifiedfor the characters a, b, . . . : L: specified line spacing) is notgreater than a tape width W, the CPU 521 determines that all the text iswithin the predetermined width of the label. When S1+S2+L is greaterthan W, on the other hand, the CPU 521 determines that the text ispartly out of the predetermined width.

When the text is within the predetermined width, the program goes tosteps 903 through 905 to expand pattern data for displaying a printingimage of FIG. 60 in the printing image display buffer R2.

More concretely, at step 903, white data `0` is written in all addressesof the printing image display buffer R2 as shown, in FIG. 65A. At step904, black data `1` is written in addresses corresponding to the labeldisplay 852 as shown in FIG. 65B. The program then goes to step 905 atwhich white data `0` is again written in addresses corresponding to eachcharacter display 853 as shown in FIG. 65C.

After the pattern data for displaying a printing image as in the exampleof FIG. 60 is written in the printing image display buffer R3, theprogram goes to step 906 at which the CPU 521 supplies the pattern datato the display driving circuit 536 to display the printing image. When a`Display Cancel` key is pressed at step 907, the program goes to step908 at which the CPU 521 stops supply of the pattern data to the displaydriving circuit 536 to cancel display of the printing image.

When it is determined that the text is partly out of the predeterminedwidth of the label at step 902, the program goes to steps 909 through912 to expand pattern data for displaying a printing image of FIG. 61 inthe printing image display buffer R2.

More concretely, at step 909, white data `0` is written in all addressesof the printing image display buffer R2 as shown in FIG. 66A. At step910, black data `1` is written in addresses corresponding to the labeldisplay 852 as shown in FIG. 66B. The program then goes to step 911 atwhich white data `0` is written in addresses corresponding to thewithin-label portion `a` of each character display 853 as shown in FIG.66C, and to step 912 at which black data `1` is written in addressescorresponding to the out of label portion `b` of each character display853 as shown in FIG. 66D. After the pattern data for displaying aprinting image as in the example of FIG. 61 is prepared, the programgoes to step 906 to display the printing image as described above.

When the CPU 521 determines that no tape 812 is set in the tape printingdevice at step 901, the program goes to step 913 at which white data `0`is written in all addresses of the printing image display buffer R2 asshown in FIG. 67A, and to step 914 at which black data `1` is written inall addresses corresponding to each character display 853 as shown inFIG. 67B. After the pattern data for displaying a printing image as inthe example of FIG. 62 is prepared, the program goes to step 906 todisplay the printing image as described above.

Display start positions and display sizes of the label display 852 andeach character display 853, that is, writing start positions and writingsizes of display data, are determined according to the tape widthdetected by the tape width detection sensor 22 and character size data,inter-character spacing data, line spacing data, and margin data storedin the input buffer R1. The display start position and display size ofeach character display 853 are determined by regarding display dotsoverlapped for both the label display 852 and the character display 853as the dots of the label display 852. This allows the narrowinter-character spacing or line spacing to be appropriately displayed inthe printing image.

The character size, the inter-character spacing, the line spacing, andthe margins are defined not by the number of display dots but by thenumber of printing dots. One display dot is generally larger than oneprinting dot in dimensions. All the display dots corresponding to theinter-character space or line space may also represent part of thecharacter display 853 when the character space or the line space issignificantly narrow. When these overlapped display dots are regarded asthose for the character 852, the printing image displayed on the screendoes not have any character space or line space. In the structure of theembodiment, all the display dots overlapped for both the label display852 and the character display 853 are accordingly regarded as those forthe label display 852. This allows the inter-character space or the linespace to be appropriately displayed in the printing image even when thespecified inter-character space or line space is significantly narrow.

FIG. 68 shows an example of sizes specified for a left margin,characters A and B, and an inter-character space as the number ofprinting dots. The method of determining the display start position anddisplay size (in horizontal direction) of the characters A and B isexplained according to the drawing of FIG. 68.

In this example, the size of the left margin is specified as 96 printingdots, where one display dot corresponds to printing dots of 4 (inprimary scanning direction) by 4 (in secondary scanning direction). Alldisplay dots 61 corresponding to the left margin do not represent anyother part. The display size of the left margin in the horizontaldirection is thereby equal to 24 display dots, and the display startposition of the character A in the horizontal direction is at a 25-thdisplay dot from the left end of the label display 852 as shown in FIGS.68 and 69.

The size of the character A is specified as 48 printing dots. Alldisplay dots 862 corresponding to the character A do not represent anyother part. The display size of the character A in the horizontaldirection is thereby equal to 12 display dots as shown in FIG. 69.

In this example, the inter-character space is specified as 2 printingdots as shown in FIG. 68. All display dots 863 corresponding to theinter-character space also represent part of the character B, where theoverlapping width is equal to two printing dots. Since all such displaydots 863 are regarded as dots for the label display 852 in the structureof the embodiment, a space of one display dot width is set between thecharacters A and B as shown in FIG. 69, and the display start positionof the character B in the horizontal direction is at a 38-th display dotfrom the left end of the label display 852. Although the size of thecharacter B is specified as 48 printing dots, two printing dots are usedfor the inter-character space as described above. The effective size ofthe character B is 46 printing dots, accordingly. In the same manner,all display dots 64 placed at the right end of the character B alsorepresent an inter-character space between the characters B and C, wherethe overlapping width is 2 printing dots. This further reduces theeffective size of the character B to 44 printing dots and makes thedisplay size of the character B equal to 11 display dots as shown inFIG. 69.

When all the display dots overlapped for both the label display 852 andthe character display 853 are regarded as those for the characterdisplay 853, no inter-character space is displayed between thecharacters A and B as shown in FIG. 70.

The structure of the third embodiment has advantages as described below.

(1) Pattern data for displaying a printing image of the label and thecharacters display 853 has a structure similar to that of pattern datafor printing a text, except an inverted display. The pattern data fordisplaying a printing image is thereby prepared by inverting thepolarity of the text-printing pattern data generated according to aprinting software. This structure does not require a separate softwarefor displaying a printing image and effectively saves the memorycapacity.

(2) The printing image displayed on the screen does not include acontour of the label display 852. The user can thus distinctivelyidentify a keyline, which is otherwise made unclear due to overlappingor close arrangement of the keyline and the label contour.

(3) The printing image has a wider effective display area by a width ofthe label contour.

(4) When the text is partly out of the predetermined width of the label,the printing image includes the out of label portion `b` of eachcharacter display 853 displayed inversely to inform the user of theinappropriate tape width or character attribute information.

(5) When no tape 812 is set in the tape printing device, the printingimage does not include the label but has all the characters displayedinversely to inform the user of no setting of the tape 812.

(6) All display dots overlapped for both the character and the label areregarded as those for the label. This allows the inter-character spaceor the line space to be appropriately displayed in the printing imageeven when the specified inter-character space or line space issignificantly narrow. The plurality of characters display 853 are alwaysdisplayed via a predetermined inter-character space.

(7) The structure of the embodiment displays each character as a squareblock having a size corresponding to that of the character. The user canthus distinctively identify even a very small character in the printingimage.

(8) The pattern data for displaying a printing image is expanded byoverwriting black or white data in the background display 851, the labeldisplay 852, and the character display 853 in this order. Thiseffectively shortens the time required for data expansion.

The structure of the third embodiment may be modified or changed invarious ways. Some examples of modification are given below.

(1) Although the display sizes of both the label and the character aredetermined according to the tape width and attribute information such ascharacter size data in the embodiment, the size of either the labeldisplay 852 or the character display 853 may be changed with respect tothe other display size previously fixed.

(2) In the tape printing device of the embodiment, character size dataand other attribute information required for displaying a printing imageare specified irrespective of the tape 812 set in the device. Theessential features of the embodiment may, however, be applicable toanother tape printing device where attribute information is defined bythe tape width. In this case, the function for displaying text data outof the tape width is not required.

The character may be displayed as a real character image in place of thesquare box. The printing image may be displayed in color instead of inblack and white.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter accordingto the drawings. A tape printing device of the fourth embodiment has anappearance, an internal mechanism and an electric structure identicalwith those of the third embodiment.

A process of giving ornamental effects to characters including lettersand symbols is explained. In an example, a character is decorated by aframed shade pattern A50, which consists of a shade A51 and a frame A52surrounding the shade A51 as shown in FIG. 71. The user first operates a`Character Ornament` key on the keyboard 815 to display a menu includinga choice `Framed Shade Pattern` on the liquid-crystal display 535. Whenthe user selects the choice `Framed Shade Pattern`, a plurality offramed shade patterns A50 having different shapes and densities of theshade A51 and different thickness of the frame A52 are displayed on thescreen. After the user selects a desirable framed shade pattern A50 outof the plural choices, the screen changes to display an image with inputcharacter data. The user then defines an ornament range with the aid ofcursor positioning and operates the `Print` key on the keyboard 815 toimplement printing of the character data according to the specifiedcharacter ornament information.

FIG. 72 shows a label obtained by such a printing process. In thisexample, the framed shade pattern A50 is printed over two characters Aand B out of six characters A through F.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart showing control of the CPU 521 in specificationof character ornament information. When the user presses the `CharacterOrnament` key, the CPU 521 first displays a menu on the liquid-crystaldisplay 535 at step 931. For example, the CPU 521 expands pattern datafor the menu stored in the CG-ROM 524 in a display buffer R3 of the RAM523 to show the menu.

When the user selects the choice `Framed Shade Pattern` from the menu,the program then goes to step 932 at which a plurality of framed shadepatterns A50 are shown on the liquid-crystal display 535. For example,the CPU 521 expands pattern data for the plurality of patterns A50stored in the CG-ROM 524 in the display buffer R3 of the RAM 523 to showthe plurality of patterns A50.

After the user selects a desirable framed shade pattern A50, the programgoes to step 933 at which the CPU 521 expands pattern data stored in theCG-ROM 524 in the display buffer R3 based on code data stored in aninput buffer R1 to show an image with input character data on theliquid-crystal display 535.

When the user specifies an ornament range, the program goes to step 934at which character ornament information is stored in the input buffer R1for printing the desirable framed shade pattern A50. The characterornament information includes type data representing the framed shadepattern A50 selected by the user and range data representing theornament range specified by the user.

FIG. 74 is a flowchart showing control of the CPU 521 in the printingprocess. At step 941, the CPU 521 reads pattern data corresponding toinput characters from the CG-ROM 524 and expands the pattern data in aprinting buffer R2 of the RAM 523 according to code data stored in theinput buffer R1.

The program then goes to step 942 at which pattern data for the selectedframed shade pattern A50 is expanded in the printing buffer R2 of theRAM 523. First, the CPU 521 reads pattern data for the shade A51 fromthe CG-ROM 524 based on the character ornament information stored in theinput buffer R1 and expands the pattern data in the printing buffer R2as shown in FIG. 75A. The CPU 521 then successively writes pattern datafor the frame A52 by each dot in the printing buffer R2 as shown in FIG.75B.

After completion of this expansion process, the program proceeds to step943 at which the CPU 521 reads the pattern data out of the printingbuffer R2 synchronously with motor activation by the motor drivingcircuit 533 to start printing the input characters and the framed shadepattern A50.

In the structure of the fourth embodiment, the framed shade pattern A50is used to make certain characters sufficiently prominent irrespectiveof the density of the shade. A keyline generally makes the differencebetween two parts across the keyline distinctly observable. The frameA52 of the framed shade pattern A50 functions as such a keyline toemphasize the characters in the framed shade pattern A50 even when theshade A51 has a relatively low density. FIG. 76 shows comparison betweencharacters screened by a thick shade A61, a thin shade A62, and theframed shade pattern A50 of the embodiment. As clearly seen in FIG. 76,the thick shade A61 makes the characters indistinct whereas the thinshade A62 can not sufficiently emphasize the characters. The framedshade pattern A50 including the thin shade A51 surrounded by the frameA52 makes the characters effectively distinct and prominent.

The structure of the fourth embodiment includes the choice `Framed ShadePattern` in the menu, thus allowing the user to specify a desirableframed shade pattern by simple selection.

The structure of the fourth embodiment may be modified and changed invarious ways. Some examples of modification are given below.

(1) Although the framed shade pattern A50 is printed over two charactersin the embodiment, only one character or any number of characters in oneline or characters in a plurality of lines may be processed by thescreening.

(2) The type of the framed shade pattern A50 may be specifiedautomatically according to character size data and other attributeinformation not by selection of the user.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is now described according to thedrawings. The hardware structure of the fifth embodiment is the same asthose of the above embodiments.

In the fifth embodiment, when the user selects a foreign character mode,the CPU 521 starts a process routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 77.Foreign character is a character which the user independently determinesand defines. At step 950, the CPU 521 first determines whether the userinstructs a foreign character input process, a foreign character outputprocess, or a foreign character deletion process.

When the user selects the foreign character output process, the programgoes to step 951 to read a specified foreign character out of aplurality of foreign characters previously stored in a foreign characterregistration area 523a of the RAM 523. When the user selects the foreigncharacter deletion process, the program goes to step 952 to delete aspecified foreign character previously input in the foreign characterregistration area 523a. These output process and deletion process arenot essential features of the embodiment and thereby not described indetail.

When the user selects the foreign character input process, the programgoes to step 953 at which the CPU 521 reads section data (a foreigncharacter identification number) in the foreign character registrationarea 523a. The tape printing device has a relatively small memorycapacity and stores only several foreign characters. The foreigncharacter registration area 523a of the RAM 523 is divided into aplurality of sections corresponding to the maximum foreign characternumber. Each section has a foreign character identification number. Inother words, each section corresponds to a foreign characteridentification number.

When a foreign character identification number is input, the programgoes to step 954 at which the CPU 521 reads a dot pattern of a specificsize stored in the selected section of the foreign characterregistration area 523a and inversely writes the dot pattern into an areaof the specific size in a working pattern buffer 523b of the RAM 523.When no foreign character is previously registered, a dot patternrepresenting a background is stored in the area. The program then goesto step 955 at which the CPU 521 inputs the dot pattern written in theworking pattern buffer 523b as a working dot pattern for creating aforeign character as well as control information into a display buffer523c to inversely display the working dot pattern on the liquid-crystaldisplay 535.

In the tape printing device, a plurality of sizes are applied to eachcharacter. A plurality of dot patterns of different sizes are therebygenerated for each foreign character through repeated input operationfor each size.

FIG. 78 shows an exemplified screen displayed at step 955. The workingdot pattern is inversely or negatively displayed as an input area B40,where a cursor B41 is displayed in flickering manner. The screen alsoincludes pattern size information B42 for defining a registrationpattern size (16×16 dots in the example of FIG. 78), and cursor positioninformation B43 for defining a cursor position as counts in a primaryscanning direction and a secondary scanning direction from a left-upperdot of the input area B40.

The CPU 521 then determines whether the user operates certain keys onthe input unit 510 at steps 956 through 959. More concretely, it isrepeatedly determined in this order whether the user operates one of thecursor keys (step 956), the `Dot-on` or `Dot-off` key (step 957), the`Mode Cancel` key for cancellation of the foreign character mode (step958), and the `End` key showing completed generation of the dot patternof a target size (step 959).

When one of the cursor keys is operated, the program goes to step 960 atwhich the CPU 521 moves the displayed position of the cursor B41 on theliquid-crystal display 535 according to operation of the cursor keys andmodifies the cursor position information B43, and then goes to step 957to determine operation of the `Dot-on` key or `Dot-off` key.

When the `Dot-on` key is operated, the program goes to step 961 at whichthe CPU 521 displays a dot with the cursor B41 placed thereon positively(in the background color) on the liquid-crystal display 535, and changesa logic level of the dot in the working pattern buffer 523b to that of aforeign character structure. When the `Dot-off` key is operated, theprogram also goes to step 961 at which the CPU 521 displays a dot withthe cursor B41 placed thereon negatively or inversely on theliquid-crystal display 535, and changes a logic level of the dot in theworking pattern buffer 523b to that of a background section. Afterexecution of step 961, the program goes to step 958 to determineoperation of the `Foreign Character Mode Cancel` key.

When the `Mode Cancel` key is operated, the program goes to step 962 atwhich the CPU 521 is restored to the original state before selection ofthe foreign character mode.

When the `End` key is operated, the program goes to step 963 at whichgeneration of dot patterns is completed for all sizes. When it is notcompleted, the program returns to step 954 to input a dot pattern ofanother size.

When the dot patterns have been generated for all the sizes, the programgoes to step 964 at which the CPU 521 shows a display of `InRegistration`, reverse the logic level (bit value) of all the dots inthe dot patterns for all the sizes stored in the working pattern buffer523b, and transfer the inverted dot patterns to a section correspondingto the selected foreign character identification number in the foreigncharacter registration area 523a. After completion of the dot patterntransfer, the CPU 521 is restored to the original state before selectionof the foreign character mode at step 965.

In this manner, while checking the working dot pattern inverselydisplayed, the user generates and registers a dot pattern of a foreigncharacter through operation of the cursor keys, the `Dot-on` key, the`Dot-off` key, and `End` key.

The working dot pattern is inversely displayed during generation of aforeign character dot pattern. This allows the user to generate aforeign character dot pattern well balanced with dot patterns ofcharacters and symbols originally prepared in the CG-ROM 524.

FIGS. 79A and 79B show comparison of foreign characters generated by themethod of the embodiment and a conventional method.

When a foreign character is generated in a predetermined input area bythe conventional method, a background section B50 in a foreign characterdot pattern is displayed in a color the same as that of a background B51out of the predetermined input area on the liquid-crystal display 535 asshown in FIG. 79B. Under such a condition, the user tends to create theforeign character larger than original characters.

When a foreign character is generated in a predetermined input area bythe method of the embodiment, on the other hand, a foreign characterstructure B52 in a foreign character dot pattern is displayed in a colorthe same as that of a background B51 out of the predetermined input areaon the liquid-crystal display 535 as shown in FIG. 79A. Under such acondition, the user easily recognizes the size of the foreign characterdot pattern and creates the foreign character well balanced with theoriginal characters.

In the structure of the embodiment, the working dot pattern, that is,the predetermined input area for creating a foreign character dotpattern, is inversely displayed. The inverse display distinctly definesthe input area and makes a frame conventionally required for definingthe input area unnecessary, thus preventing the user from confusing theframe with part of a foreign character and allowing generation of aforeign character dot pattern well balanced with other characters. Theframe naturally requires a certain number of dots for display andundesirably reduces the number of dots used for displaying the workingdot pattern. The method of this embodiment does not require dots forframe display and increases the dots usable for displaying the dotpattern. Most working dot patterns can accordingly be displayed in onescreen even when a liquid-crystal display having a small display area isused as in the embodiment. For example, when a 32-dot liquid-crystaldisplay is used, two screens are required for generating a 32×32 or48×48 dot pattern in the conventional display method with a frame. Inthe display without the frame according to the embodiment, only a 48×48dot pattern requires two screens.

In this embodiment, when the foreign character dot pattern stored in theworking pattern buffer 523b is transferred to and stored into theforeign character registration area 523a, the logic level of each dot isreversed to meet definition of bit levels in dot patterns of charactersoriginally stored in the CG-ROM 524 (for example, the logic level `1`for character structures and the logic level `0` for backgroundsections). Another method may, however, be applied to coordinate theforeign character dot pattern with those of other characters. Forexample, the logic level in the working pattern buffer 523b is keptnon-inverted while the working dot pattern is inversely displayed. Inanother example, the dot pattern with the inverted logic level is storedin the foreign character registration area 523a and is reversed when thepattern is read out of the foreign character registration area 523a forprinting.

The essential features of the invention may be applicable to othercharacter information processing apparatuses other than tape printingdevices of the embodiments. The display unit may include, in place ofthe liquid-crystal display, any other flat display or CRT having aninverse display function.

There may be many other changes, modifications, and alterations withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of essential characteristics of theinvention, and it is thereby clearly understood that the aboveembodiments are only illustrative and not restrictive in any sense. Thespirit and scope of the present invention is only limited by the termsof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing device which is capable of accepting aplurality of different types of tape cartridge, each type of tapecartridge accommodating a printing tape having a distinct printablewidth, the tape cartridges being arranged to be detachably set in theprinting device, said printing device being used for printing data in aplurality of lines on said printing tape, said printing devicecomprising:data input means for inputting print data; cartridgeidentification means for identifying the type of a selected one of thetape cartridges that is set in said printing device; linagespecification means for specifying a number of lines that are to beprinted on the printing tape in the selected tape cartridge; selectivedisplay means for displaying prestored possible combinations of saidlines with different relative character sizes specified for variouslines to allow a desired combination to be selected; printing sizedetermination means for determining absolute dimensions of said printdata in each of said lines based on said combination selected by saidselective display means; and print control means for controlling a printoperation for printing said print data on each line with said absolutedimensions determined by said printing size determination means.
 2. Aprinting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said print controlmeans further comprises means for informing a user when it is determinedthat a desired printing range is wider than the printable width of saidprinting tape of the selected tape cartridge.
 3. A printing device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said print control means furthercomprises means for preventing printing in a specific area when it isdetermined that a desired printing range is wider than the printablewidth of said printing tape of the selected tape cartridge.
 4. Aprinting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said print controlmeans further comprises means for reducing a printing range, to a rangethat is within the printable width of the printing tape of the selectedtape cartridge when it is determined that a desired printing range iswider than the printable width of said printing tape of the selectedtape cartridge.
 5. A printing device in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid print control means further comprises means for correcting saidnumber of lines specified by said linage specification means when it isdetermined that a desired printing range is wider than the printablewidth of said printing tape of the selected tape cartridge.
 6. Aprinting device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:attributespecification means for specifying attribute information of said printdata inputted by said data input means; and modification means formodifying said attribute information specified by said attributespecification means when a desired printing range is wider than theprintable width of said printing tape of the selected tape cartridge. 7.A printing device in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising:inputted linage detecting means for detecting the number oflines of said print data inputted by said input means; printing positiondetermination means for determining a printing position on said printingtape based on the inputted linage detected by said inputted linagedetecting means; and printing position control means for printing saidprint data on said printing tape according to said printing positiondetermined by said printing position determination means.
 8. Theprinting device in accordance with claim 7, further comprising linagespecifying means for specifying the number of lines for printing saidprint data on said tape.
 9. The printing device in accordance with claim8, wherein said printing position determination means determines aprinting position on said printing tape based on the number of inputtedlines detected by said inputted linage detecting means when the numberof inputted lines detected by said inputted linage detecting means isless than the number of lines specified by said linage specifying means.10. A tape printing device which is capable of receiving a tapecartridge accommodating a printing tape, said tape printing device beingused for printing data in a plurality of lines on said printing tape ofsaid tape cartridge set in said tape printing device, said tape printingdevice comprising:data input means for inputting print data; displaymeans for displaying said print data inputted by said data input means;print mode setting means for previously setting a print mode assigned tosaid input print data; data memory means for storing said print datawith said print mode; data output means for reading out first datapreviously inputted and stored in said data memory means without erasingsecond data newly inputted from said data input means; display controlmeans for, when a first print mode of said first data is different froma second print mode of said second data, controlling said display meansto display said first data and said second data in different ways; andprint means for printing said first data according to said first printmode and said second data according to said second print mode on saidprinting tape.
 11. A tape printing device in accordance with claim 10,wherein said display control means further comprises means for showing apredetermined code on a boundary between said first data with said firstprint mode and said second data with said second print mode.
 12. A tapeprinting device in accordance with claim 10, said device furthercomprising:linage specification means for specifying a number of linesfor printing said inputted print data; and line number display means fordisplaying a line number by giving a code to either end of each line.13. A tape printing device in accordance with claim 10, wherein saiddisplay controlling means displays a predetermined mark at the front ofeach line of said print data, when said first print mode of said firstdata is different from said second print mode of said second data.
 14. Atape printing device for printing data on a tape at a desirableposition, said device comprising:input means for inputting print data;edit command input means for inputting edit commands comprisingattribute information of said print data; paragraph process means forprocessing said print data by each paragraph according to said editcommands inputted by said edit command input means, said each paragraphdefining an arrangement of data on said tape and consisting of one orplural lines disposed along a width of said tape and printedsimultaneously; display means for displaying said print data accordingto paragraph attribute information inputted by said edit command inputmeans and set for certain print data included in said each paragraph;print data edit means for editing said print data without modifying saidparagraph attribute information; and print means for expanding saidprint data to a dot pattern according to said paragraph attributeinformation in response to a print instruction, and successivelyprinting said print data by each paragraph along a predetermined lengthof said tape.
 15. A tape printing device in accordance with claim 14,wherein said paragraph process means further comprises means forignoring an instruction of compulsory return input in a last line of alast paragraph by said edit command input means.
 16. A tape printingdevice in accordance with claim 14, wherein said paragraph process meansfurther comprises means for executing a predetermined return processwithout changing a predetermined number of lines in a certain paragraphwhen an instruction of compulsory return is inputted in a certain lineof the certain paragraph other than a last line of a last paragraph. 17.A tape printing device in accordance with claim 14, wherein saidparagraph process means further comprises means for, when an instructionof line deletion is inputted by said edit command input means, keeping atarget line of deletion as a vacant line not to change a predeterminednumber of lines in said each paragraph.
 18. A tape printing device inaccordance with claim 14, wherein said paragraph process means furthercomprises means for, when a target paragraph for specification ofparagraph attribute information by said edit command input meanscomprises one or a plurality of lines with at least one data, settingnumbers of lines not less than said one or plurality of lines aspossible choices of said paragraph attribute information.
 19. A tapeprinting device in accordance with claim 14, wherein said edit commandinput means prepares a plurality of print size combinations for printingas possible choices for each paragraph consisting of only one line toallow a user to determine a desirable print size combination byselecting one of said possible choices.
 20. A tape printing device inaccordance with claim 14, wherein said edit command input means preparesa plurality of print size and line spacing combinations as possiblechoices for each paragraph consisting of two or more lines to allow auser to determine a desirable print size and line spacing combination byselecting one of said possible choices.
 21. A tape printing device inaccordance with claim 19, said device further comprising:tape widthidentification means for identifying a width of said tape; wherein saidedit command input means prepares a plurality of relative print sizecombinations as said possible choices; and said print means expands saidprint data based on said tape width and a desired relative charactersize combination selected by said user.
 22. A tape printing device inaccordance with claim 20, said device further comprising:tape widthidentification means for identifying a width of said tape; wherein saidedit command input means prepares a plurality of relative character sizeand line spacing combinations as said possible choices; and said printmeans expands said print data based on said tape width and a desiredrelative character size and line spacing combination selected by saiduser.
 23. A tape printing device in accordance with claim 22, whereinsaid edit command input means further comprises possible choice displaymeans for graphically displaying said relative character size and linespacing combinations.
 24. A tape printing device in accordance withclaim 20, said device further comprising attribute specification meansfor specifying and modifying a print size of every print data and for,when a predetermined print size of a specific print data is to bemodified, setting said predetermined print size and smaller print sizesas possible choices.
 25. A tape printing device in accordance with claim14, wherein said edit command input means prepares an automaticparagraph setting function as a possible choice, said automaticparagraph setting function determines data attribute information in saideach paragraph according to input of said print data.
 26. A tapeprinting device in accordance with claim 25, wherein said edit commandinput means further comprises means for setting a plurality of lineswhen said automatic paragraph setting function is selected and meansfor, when a series of characters are inputted as print data in at leastone of said plurality of lines, determining a character size of eachline according to a number of lines with said print data.
 27. A tapeprinting device in accordance with claim 25, wherein said edit commandinput means further comprises means for setting a plurality of lineswhen said automatic paragraph setting function is selected; andsaidprint means further comprises means for, when a series of characters areinputted as print data in at least one of said plurality of lines,determining said at least one line with said print data as a fixednumber of lines and executing dot expansion.
 28. A tape printing devicein accordance with claim 25, wherein said edit command input meansfurther comprises means for setting a plurality of lines when saidautomatic paragraph setting function is selected; andsaid display meansfurther comprises means for, when a series of characters are inputted asprint data in at least one of said plurality of lines, discriminating aline with said print data from a line without said print data.
 29. Atape printing device in accordance with claim 14, said device furthercomprising:memory means for storing at least part of said print datawith said paragraph attribute information set for said each paragraph;and paragraph input means for reading said at least part of print dataout of said memory means.
 30. A tape printing device in accordance withclaim 21, said device further comprising means for converting saiddesired relative character size combination to absolute values accordingto a conversion table.
 31. A tape printing device in accordance withclaim 22, said device further comprising means for converting saiddesired relative character size and line spacing combination to absolutevalues according to a conversion table.
 32. A tape printing device inaccordance with claim 21, said device further comprising means forconverting said desired relative print size combination to absolutevalues according to a predetermined operation.
 33. A tape printingdevice in accordance with claim 22, said device further comprising meansfor converting said desired relative print size and line spacingcombination to absolute values according to a predetermined operation.34. A printing device in accordance with claim 14, furthercomprising:line increasing means for adding a blank line after the lastline of said paragraph when said edit command input means inputs an editcommand for increasing the linage of said paragraph.
 35. A printingdevice in accordance with claim 14, further comprising:line decreasingmeans for decreasing the linage of said paragraph by deleting a blankline existing in said paragraph when said edit command input meansinputs an edit command for decreasing the linage of said paragraph. 36.A tape printing device for displaying a printing image of print data tobe printed on a tape medium prior to actual printing, said devicecomprising:image display means for displaying said printing image, saidimage display means having a certain display background color; anddisplay generating means for generating printing image display data inwhich an image representing said tape medium is shown in a colordifferent from that of said display background color, said printingimage being displayed on said image display means according to saidprinting image display data generated by said display data generationmeans.
 37. A tape printing device in accordance with claim 36, whereinsaid display data generation means generates printing image display datain which said print data that appears out of said image representingsaid tape medium is shown in a certain color different from that of saiddisplay background color.
 38. A tape printing device in accordance withclaim 36, wherein said display data generation means generates printingimage display data in which no image representing said tape medium isshown and said print data is displayed in a certain color different fromthat of said display background color when no tape is set in said tapeprinting device.
 39. A tape printing device in accordance with claim 36wherein;said image display means displays said printing image displaydata in a reverse color different than said display background color andin said display background color, and said display data generation meansgenerates a printing image representing said tape medium in said reversecolor and generates a printing image representing said print data to beprinted on said tape medium in said display background color.
 40. A tapeprinting device comprising:input means for inputting print data;ornament instruction detection means for detecting a predeterminedornament instruction for decorating at least part of said print data;ornament information memory means for storing ornament information fordecorating said at least part of print data with a framed shade patternconsisting of a shade and a frame surrounding said shade when saidpredetermined ornament instruction is detected by said ornamentinstruction detection means; and print means for printing said printdata and said framed shade pattern to overlap each other on said tapeaccording to said ornament information stored in said ornamentinformation memory means in response to a printing instruction.
 41. Atape printing device comprising:input means for inputting print data;input area display means for displaying a user defined character inputarea; dot pattern generation means for specifying dots constituting auser defined character in said displayed user defined character inputarea and inverting said dots to generate a dot pattern; user definedcharacter registration means for registering a user defined characterdot pattern generated by reversing said dot pattern as said user definedcharacter; and print means for expanding and printing said user definedcharacter dot pattern when said print data comprises said user definedcharacter.
 42. A printing device which is capable of accepting aplurality of different types of tape cartridges each accommodating adistinct type of printing tape, the cartridges being used for printingdata in a plurality of lines on the printing tape of a selected one ofthe tape cartridges receiving in said printing device, said printingdevice comprising:data input means for inputting print data; cartridgeidentification means for identifying a type of the selected tapecartridges that is received in said printing device; tape widthdetecting means for detecting a tape width of said selected tape basedon said type of said tape cartridge identified by said cartridgeidentification means; linage specification means for specifying thenumber of lines for printing said data in a plurality of lines;selective display means for displaying possible combinations of saidplurality of lines with different relative character sizes specified forvarious lines to allow a desired combination to be selected; printingsize determination means for determining absolute dimensions of saidprint data in each of said plurality of lines printed on said tape,based on said combination selected by said selective display means andsaid tape width detected by tape width detecting means; and printcontrol means for controlling a print operation for printing said printdata in each line with said absolute dimensions determined by saidprinting size determination means on said tape of said print cartridgeidentified by said cartridge identification means.
 43. The printingdevice in accordance with claim 42, wherein said print data includescharacter data and said printing size determination means determines aheight of said character data.
 44. A method of printing data on a tapeat a specified position comprising the steps:(a) inputting print data;(b) inputting edit commands comprising attribute information of saidprint data; (c) processing said print data by each paragraph accordingto said edit commands inputted at the step (b), said each paragraphdefining an arrangement of data on said tape and consisting of one orplural lines disposed along a width of said tape and printedsimultaneously; (d) displaying said print data according to paragraphattribute information inputted at said step (b) and set for certainprint data included in said each paragraph; (e) editing said print datawithout modifying said paragraph attribute information; (f) inputting aprint instruction; and (g) expanding said print data to a dot patternaccording to said paragraph attribute information in response to saidprint instruction, and successively printing said print data by eachparagraph along a predetermined length of said tape.
 45. A tape printingdevice comprising:input means for inputting print data; decorating meansfor decorating said print data with a framed shade pattern consisting ofa frame surrounding said print data and shade pattern filling saidframe; and print means for printing said print data and said framedshade pattern to overlap each other on said tape.
 46. A printing methodfor printing data on a tape at a desirable position, said methodcomprising the steps of:(a) inputting print data; (b) decorating saidprint data with a framed shade pattern consisting of a frame surroundingsaid print data and shade pattern filling said frame; and (c) printingsaid print data and said framed shade pattern to overlap each other onsaid tape.